Michael Phelps vs Jim ‘The Shark’ Dreyer: Who Would Win the Battle of Five Lakes

Jim ‘The Shark’ Dreyer has proven time and again that he is absolutely deserving of his moniker. The 60-year-old swimmer easily takes on great lakes and water bodies without breaking a sweat. Dreyer’s monumental achievements make one question how he would fare against another monster, Olympic Champion Michael Phelps.

While Dreyer is easily the heavyweight of swimming, Phelps is the greatest swimmer in the world with 23 Olympic golds. During an exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, Dreyer answered how he thinks Michael Phelps would fare against him, especially when the two would face each other in the territory of The Shark. 

Jim ‘The Shark’ Dreyer vs. Michael ‘Flying Fish’ Phelps

The human tugboat often displays his herculean strength and his unlimited endurance. In fact, Jim ‘The Shark’ Dreyer has also cracked the ultimate code to infinite stamina. However, are his strength and stamina enough to overpower the world’s greatest swimmer? Speaking with Essentially Sports in an exclusive interview, Dreyer was asked about the fun prospect. The human tugboat was asked, “Just a fun question: what if there comes a day when Michael Phelps and you swim in Lake Michigan, who do you think will win?” Slightly surprised by the question, The Shark gave an interesting answer.

“Oh, he is going to kick my butt in the pool. My guess is, if we did it like in the pool, I am not even going to be close.” Comparing himself with Phelps, Jim ‘The Shark’ Dreyer said, “I am average in the pool and he is a rocket.” However, he also added, “In open water, my guess is if we are swimming in Lake Michigan, he is gonna start out ahead of me. But over time, I will catch up and pass him.” It is obvious that if The Shark can beat the Flying Fish in one lake, he will go on to win the Battle of the Five Lakes as well. While Dreyer said that he would come out on top of Phelps in a lake, he also left some great words for the Olympian as well.

The Shark’s thoughts about Michael Phelps

“Mr Phelps and I once had a chance to meet. We were quoted in some of the same articles as well!” The Shark also said, “Mr Phelps was also gracious enough to say that what Jim does is at a different level on the open water. It’s a completely different thing.” Dreyer revealed that both he and Phelps share their alma mater, and both have attended the University of Michigan. He emphasized how this also forms a home-state tie between them. Despite all of this, The Shark mentioned something he admires a lot about the mighty Olympian.

ALSO READ – “Ended Up Stranded”: Jim ‘The Shark’ Dreyer, Who Was Once Honored by Bill Clinton for His Achievements, Reminisces His Most Horrifying Incident

“I also really really admire how he has come forward to the public about some of his struggles like mental health. I really really admire that because he is in a position where, as an audience, that’s a very very important message that he is putting out there. So yeah a salute to Mr. Phelps.” As a matter of fact, Dreyer himself works for the betterment of society via the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. The non-profit body assigns verified adults to mentor and guide kids. While both Phelps and Dreyer are giants in the water, both have their own unique specialties and talents. The only similarity they share is that they are the best at what they do.

WATCH STORY – Tiger Woods’ ‘Massive Scream for Help’ Resonated With Michael Phelps, Who Comforted the Golfer During a Dark Moment in 2017.