Ringside reunion could be on the cards for swimming foes Joseph Schooling and Michael Phelps
SINGAPORE – They last faced off in the swimming pool at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in what turned out to be a historic moment for Singapore, as national swimmer Joseph Schooling defeated American legend and former childhood idol Michael Phelps in the men’s 100m butterfly final to claim gold.
American swimming legend Michael Phelps and Singapore's Joseph Schooling at the 2016 Olympic Games.
SINGAPORE – They last faced off in the swimming pool at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in what turned out to be a historic moment for Singapore, as national swimmer Joseph Schooling defeated American legend and former childhood idol Michael Phelps in the men’s 100m butterfly final – Phelps’ last individual race of his storied career – to claim gold.
On May 18, the two swimmers could be reunited ringside at the One: Unstoppable Dreams mixed martial arts (MMA) event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Asian promotion One Championships said in a press release on Thursday (May 10) that 23-time Olympic champion Phelps will be attending the event in Singapore as a special guest. The announcement comes a day after Schooling was named ambassador of One Championship, with the exclusive deal to see the 22-year-old lending his support to One Championship’s athletes on social media, or in person.
While One Championship has not confirmed Schooling’s attendance at the May 18 event, TODAY understands that there is a possibility that the Singaporean will be joining Phelps in a ringside reunion.
Mr Chatri Sityodtong, One Championship’s chairman and chief executive officer said: “Michael is the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time. It is my absolute honor to have Michael sitting at the front row of the greatest martial arts spectacle in the world.
“Just by having his presence cage side will be a huge inspiration to all our One Championship athletes and to all the fans in attendance.”
The One: Unstoppable Dreams event on May 18 is set to feature three world title fights, including the main match between reigning One women’s atomweight champion Angela Lee and Mei Yamaguchi of Japan. The co-main event will see muay thai artist Sam-A Gaiyanghadao (Evolve MMA) face off against Sergio Wielzen of the Netherlands in the fight for the inaugural One super series flyweight muay thai world championship title. Australia’s Martin Nguyen will also be making a bid to defend his featherweight title against Christian Lee, the younger brother of Angela Lee.
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