Schooling had already enjoyed an impressive Games but he bowed out of the event in style as he was part of the Singapore 4x100 metres medley relay team who claimed the title in a Games record 3min 38.25sec.

Before the race, the United States-based young star, was level on eight golds with Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, the dominant performer in the women’s competition.

“These five or six days have been really tough,” Schooling said.

“The weeks before that also.

“It's a small stepping-stone in what I'm trying to achieve.

“The SEA Games, I know it's a big deal to Singapore but we're on a different platform to where we were a couple of years ago.

“We need to stop looking at the SEA Games as a benchmark.”

Nguyen did also manage to finish the swimming programme with a flourish, winning the 200 breaststroke in 2:31.16, securing a comfortable win over nearest challenger Pawapotako Phiangkhwan of Thailand, but she could not manage a podium spot in her final outing as she languished down in sixth in the 100m butterfly.

The race was won by home favourite Tao Li, her fifth gold of the Games in 59.79sec.

Thailand also produced a fruitful display as they sealed five of the 12 gold medals in athletics

Tittidet Jamras powered to a commanding victory in the men’s 110m hurdles in13.69, while Wallapa Punsoongneun reigned supreme in the women’s 100m hurdles by clocking 13.56.

The success for the Thai athletes did not end there, though, as the men’s 4x400m relay quartet took gold in 3:06.81, narrowly edging out the Philippines, while Vietnam were third.

Out in the field, Chayanisa Chomchuendee leapt 4.10 metres in the women’s pole vault, which proved too strong for Rachel Isabel Bingjje Yan of Singapore, and Peerachet Jantra’s effort of 75.18m was enough to win the men’s javelin.

Meanwhile, organisers of the Games were forced to launch an investigation into potential food poisoning after several athletes suffered bouts of illness thought to have been caused by a chicken curry.

Cyclists were the main bulk of those affected and some claimed that it hampered their time trial performances.

“The Singapore Southeast Asian Games Organising Committee has received a report of an incident involving a bout of loose stools that has affected a few athletes early this morning,” a statement said.

“We are investigating the matter with the relevant authorities and reinforcing hygiene practices.”

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