Some consider Michael Phelps a superhuman and that's because he is; his arms are extra long, his lungs are double the size of a normal person, and his feet bend in ways that are unnatural. He has more medals than any other Olympian with a career total to 23 gold medals, three silver, and two bronze.
#1 He Started Young
Michael Phelps began swimming at the age of 7 after watching the 1996
Summer Games in Atlanta. He was encouraged to do so by his family because
he had so much energy that they believed it would help to tire him out. It was
later discovered that he had attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
Summer Games in Atlanta. He was encouraged to do so by his family because
he had so much energy that they believed it would help to tire him out. It was
later discovered that he had attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
#2 His Best Stroke
The first thing he learned to do was the backstroke, and he became so
good at it that his instructors had to beg him to learn another stroke. He
was afraid to try anything else at first because he was actually afraid to put
his head underwater. But as soon as he took to the water, he was like a fish.
Only three years after starting to swim, he set a national record for his age
group in the 100-meter fly. He began training with a coach at the age of 11.
good at it that his instructors had to beg him to learn another stroke. He
was afraid to try anything else at first because he was actually afraid to put
his head underwater. But as soon as he took to the water, he was like a fish.
Only three years after starting to swim, he set a national record for his age
group in the 100-meter fly. He began training with a coach at the age of 11.
#3 Set A Record At Age Fifteen
At the age of 15 qualified for the ‘2000 Summer Olympics’ to become the
youngest male to qualify for the U.S swimming team in 68 years. He
finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly. However, just 9 months later he
became the youngest to set a swimming world record, in the 200-meter
butterfly trials for the ‘2001 world aquatics championship.’ A record he broke
himself when he won his first world championship in Fukuoka, Japan.
youngest male to qualify for the U.S swimming team in 68 years. He
finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly. However, just 9 months later he
became the youngest to set a swimming world record, in the 200-meter
butterfly trials for the ‘2001 world aquatics championship.’ A record he broke
himself when he won his first world championship in Fukuoka, Japan.
#4 Long Arms, Short Legs, And Twisty Ankles
Phelps has a unique body structure. His wingspan is longer than he is tall.
When his arms are extended they reach 80 inches tip to tip. He is narrow, with a
longer than average abdomen. He also has size 14 feet, which are so bendy at the
ankle that they're "virtual flippers." It's said to bend 15 degrees more than the average
ankle. His lung capacity is said to be above average as well, at 12 litres.
When his arms are extended they reach 80 inches tip to tip. He is narrow, with a
longer than average abdomen. He also has size 14 feet, which are so bendy at the
ankle that they're "virtual flippers." It's said to bend 15 degrees more than the average
ankle. His lung capacity is said to be above average as well, at 12 litres.
#5 High Endurance
He has a heightened ability to recover from physical exertion and needs
just a few hours to regain his strength. Which allows him to be able to compete
in multiple races in one day. When preparing for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing
he swam 50 miles every week, which was roughly 80,000 meters. To overcome
his boredom he listens to talk radio on waterproof headphones.
just a few hours to regain his strength. Which allows him to be able to compete
in multiple races in one day. When preparing for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing
he swam 50 miles every week, which was roughly 80,000 meters. To overcome
his boredom he listens to talk radio on waterproof headphones.
#6 He Consumes 13,000 Calories While Training
To keep up his strength while training for competitions, Phelps eats an average
of 13,000 calories every day. He also trains six days a week for 5-6 hours a
day and sleeps in a chamber meant to simulate high altitudes. His
normal weight remains steady at 170 pounds.
of 13,000 calories every day. He also trains six days a week for 5-6 hours a
day and sleeps in a chamber meant to simulate high altitudes. His
normal weight remains steady at 170 pounds.
#7 Unbeatable Records In Various Age Ranges
The Olympian can swim 100 meters in just under 50 seconds. He still holds the
record in 12 different age group events, and nobody has come close to
breaking them in the age brackets he managed to set national records in
since he first began competing. He dominated the 2004 Olympics by winning
8 medals, six gold. He made history in the 2008 Beijing Olympics by
winning 8 GOLD medals, becoming the first Olympian to do so, at a single
Olympic Games.
record in 12 different age group events, and nobody has come close to
breaking them in the age brackets he managed to set national records in
since he first began competing. He dominated the 2004 Olympics by winning
8 medals, six gold. He made history in the 2008 Beijing Olympics by
winning 8 GOLD medals, becoming the first Olympian to do so, at a single
Olympic Games.
#8 He Wears Two Swim Caps
Phelps prefers wearing 2 swim caps in order to smooth out wrinkles, increases
the grip of the goggles and to make himself more aerodynamic. This is a
common practice but can also cause problems. In Beijing during the 200-meter
butterfly, his goggles filled with water, but he was unable to remove them
because they were so firmly affixed to his head.
the grip of the goggles and to make himself more aerodynamic. This is a
common practice but can also cause problems. In Beijing during the 200-meter
butterfly, his goggles filled with water, but he was unable to remove them
because they were so firmly affixed to his head.
#9 Fame And Fortune
Michael Phelps' net worth makes him the fifth-richest Olympic athlete ever, and also way higher
paid than the richest of Olympic swimmers. Phelps’ net worth is estimated at $48 million and
could eventually reach $100 million over the course of his career from deals with sponsors like
Speedo, Hilton, Subway, Visa, Proctor & Gamble, HP, Topps, and Omega. Still, despite all the
money he’s raking in, Phelps said his primary motivation is to increase the visibility of his sport.
After the 2004 Olympic games a street in his hometown, Baltimore was named after the medalist.
paid than the richest of Olympic swimmers. Phelps’ net worth is estimated at $48 million and
could eventually reach $100 million over the course of his career from deals with sponsors like
Speedo, Hilton, Subway, Visa, Proctor & Gamble, HP, Topps, and Omega. Still, despite all the
money he’s raking in, Phelps said his primary motivation is to increase the visibility of his sport.
After the 2004 Olympic games a street in his hometown, Baltimore was named after the medalist.
#10 Twenty Eight Olympic Medals
With the 2016 Rio Olympics over, Phelps has won 28 Olympics medals at five
Olympic Games, including 23 Olympic gold medals and 13 individual golds,
breaking the record of Leonidas of Rhodes, an Olympic runner and one of the
greatest athletes of ancient Greece, who won 12 Olympic victory wreaths in his time.
Phelps also made history as the oldest individual gold medalist in Olympic
swimming history. The star is retiring, however, and says he won't compete in
the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Olympic Games, including 23 Olympic gold medals and 13 individual golds,
breaking the record of Leonidas of Rhodes, an Olympic runner and one of the
greatest athletes of ancient Greece, who won 12 Olympic victory wreaths in his time.
Phelps also made history as the oldest individual gold medalist in Olympic
swimming history. The star is retiring, however, and says he won't compete in
the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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