Bilang bahagi ng programa ng ONE FC para maimulat ang kabataan sa sports na mixed martial arts, nagsagawa ng MMA clinics sina Christian at Angela Lee kasama ang pamosong Olympic swimming champion na si Joseph Schooling.
Panauhin si Schooling sa MMA seminar na iinagawa ng magkapatid na Lee sa Evolve MMA Gym sa Far East Square nitong Huwebes. Itinuro nila ang basic MMA technique sa Rio Olympic swimming sensation, tampok ang striking at grappling drills.
Nakasentro ang programa ni Christian sa aspeto ng striking kung saan ipinalas niya ang tamang pagbitaw ng sipa at suntok sa karibal, habang si Angela ang namahala sa pagpapamalas ng pinakasikat na submission skills na kanyang ginamit para makamit ang ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship sa matikas na 6-0 marka.
Sa maigsing panahon ng pagsasama, napahanga si Angela sa husay at kakayahan ni Schooling kung papalaot ito bilang MMA fighter.
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“Joseph [Schooling] is a strong athlete, which I find very impressive. I know Olympic swimming doesn’t involve anything even remotely near fighting, but he just has that natural power. I was able to feel it while I was holding the pads,” aniya.
Ayon kay Angela, may potensiyal si Schooling sa MMA.
“Being a fighter or a world champion in MMA is not an overnight success. A lot of hard work goes into it. No one is ever born a champion. A lot of people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes,” pahayag ni Angela. “But Joseph is really strong and flexible, his body composition is perfect for martial arts. He’s a natural.”
Sa kabila ng pagkakaiba ng tema ng swimming at MMA, sinabi ni Christian na ang pagiging matiyaga at focus sa pagsasanay ni Schooling ang sikreto sa matagumpay na swimming career.
“MMA and Olympic swimming are two different sports, but as athletes, I feel we are all the same. We spend tremendous amounts of time and effort to reach our goals. The swimming pool is Joseph’s battlefield just as much as the cage is ours. I tip my hat off to him with respect,” sambit ni Christian.
Bago pukawin ang mundo ng Olympics kung saan tinalo ni Schooling si swimming great Michael Phelps ng America, pambatong atleta ng Singapore ang 21-anyos sa SEA Games at Asian Games.
