SINGAPORE, May 10 — Over a month after turning professional, national swimmer Joseph Schooling has signed his fourth commercial deal, as the Olympic champion was named ambassador of Asian mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion One Championship yesterday.
The exclusive deal will see the 22-year-old lending his support to One Championship athletes on social media or in person, and local fans can also get the opportunity to meet the swimming sensation.
Schooling, who won a historic gold in the men’s 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, had signed deals with luxury fashion brand Hugo Boss and local bank DBS in March.
A month later, sports marketing agency Dentsu Sports Asia said it had been appointed Schooling’s commercial partner to assist him in advising and managing his commercial and strategic opportunities, among other matters.
“Partnering with One Championship represents exciting times,” said Schooling in a statement.
“I have always identified with the values of One Championship, and I think that is an important factor to any partnership. I have always had a great time at their events, so as Ambassador of One Championship, I am looking forward to sharing the positive values of One Championship with everyone.”
Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and chief executive officer of One Championship said Schooling is a “tremendous athlete”, and a “wonderful young man who embodies the true values of the Asian promotion.
He added: “He is the perfect example of how, with hard work and dedication, we can achieve many great things. I am very proud of this young man for what he has accomplished at such a young age, and happy for him to be a part of the growing One Championship family.”
Schooling’s appointment comes ahead of the One: Unstoppable Dreams event at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on May 18.
The event will see three world title fights this time, with the main card to feature One women’s atomweight champion Angela Lee and Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi.
Lee, 21, is making a return to the octagon after sustaining injuries in a car accident in Hawaii last year which forced her to withdraw from her title fight against Yamaguchi last November. — AFP
