Mikey Musumeci has been adorned with ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title gold on four occasions by ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. Now, the American martial arts superstar hopes to earn a seat as his right-hand man.

The 27-year-old is looking to broaden his horizons beyond the competitive world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and he is leaning on his dedication as a constant learner to do so.

In fact, the tireless work ethic that led Mikey to become a historic five-time BJJ World Champion was the same discipline he applied toward his education. The American often trained early in the morning before attending classes until midnight. Though it was an ambitious workload that required a delicate balancing act, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA.

Despite reaching the apex of his sport and earning his degree, Mikey wasn’t entirely happy. The martial arts superstar had been in a lifelong battle with depression and struggled mightily. But eventually, the New Jersey native realized that inspiring others helped him to overcome his biggest enemy. Now, he is committed to using his enormous platform to make a positive impact and put the spotlight on mental health.

Already the master of one craft, Mikey is ready to tackle his next set of competitors in a fresh venue – the boardroom. The American’s analytical mind and incredible discipline have made him the best pound-for-pound grappler on the planet, and now, he intends to use those tools to become Chatri’s next protege.

Vanessa Techapichetvanich’s life was profoundly shaped by early adversity.

The separation of her parents and subsequent challenges deeply affected the family, including her mother, who struggled with severe depression and financial hardship. But this only made Vanessa stronger and more resilient, and these qualities would help her later in life.

Vanessa, along with her brother, earned full scholarships to top schools in Thailand, a testament to their brilliance, dedication, and hard work.

The Thai also received multiple academic scholarships from prestigious colleges, but she ultimately chose to study Mechanical Engineering at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. During her studies, she balanced her education with various side jobs, including tutoring, writing, and graphic design.

After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, Vanessa returned home to Bangkok. Before kicking off her entrepreneurial journey, she worked in various roles related to startup innovation and digital marketing. Eventually, she launched her own business called Jamulogy, which produces high-quality Indonesian herbal drinks.

Beyond her business acumen, the Thai luminary is passionate about health and fitness. In fact, she’s a certified yoga instructor and participates in events like the Spartan Race and Tough Mudder.

On season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,” Vanessa isn’t just competing to win. Her story is about overcoming life’s obstacles and inspiring the world.

Joy Wang may have “joy” in her name, but she didn’t experience too much of that emotion during her childhood.

She was originally born to young parents in Suzhou, China. But with her father and mother focused on achieving their Master’s degrees and Ph.Ds, they ultimately left the child in the care of her grandparents for seven years.

Then, Joy relocated with her parents to Japan, and the family finally settled down in Vancouver, Canada, just two years later.

As a young Asian girl who spoke little English, Joy was frequently bullied and constantly felt like an outsider. And with her parents working all the time, she had to watch over her little brother – who was 10 years younger – and grew up much faster than most teenagers.

But instead of wallowing in her misery, she used that pain as motivation to excel in her pursuits.

Joy was accepted into a pre-med program at McGill University in Montreal, but her heart was in the arts and business. Though she continued pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in Anatomy & Cell Biology, she also took internships in the digital marketing and social media fields. She even enrolled in business marketing courses, giving her a well-rounded skill set to help her succeed in the corporate world.

Now, the Growth & Marketing Consultant joins season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” to honor her grandparents – especially her late grandma, who was a true mother figure in her life. And there may be no better way to honor her memory than by becoming Chatri Sityodtong’s protege in Singapore.

Winston Mao worked for every opportunity that has ever been given to him, and he has made the most of each one.

Born in the city of Zhaotong in Yunnan, China, Winston had a tremendous amount of pressure on his shoulders. As an only child growing up in one of the country’s least developed provinces, he was expected to leave and find a prosperous career elsewhere.

With that in mind, he studied instead of building a social life to increase his chances of attending a prestigious college. His hard work paid off, as he was among the top 200 of 170,000 students in his province to attend the National College Entrance Exams. This led to a spot at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

But soon, there would be another challenging obstacle in his way.

Winston didn’t have good English-speaking ability, as he was in the bottom 10 percent of his class. However, he studied the language diligently over the next year and dramatically improved to reach the top 10 percent. Because of this, he was afforded the opportunity to participate in a student exchange program that saw him attend Toulouse Business School in France.

At Toulouse, he discovered his love for branding and skincare. Though he earned a degree in International Business from the French college in 2008 and a Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Mathematics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2009, he was determined to break into the skincare industry.

Winston was ultimately employed by global companies like Unilever and L’Oreal, and after spending several years working for those powerhouses, he founded his own skincare brand, Shanchuan, in 2021.

In addition to all of his branding, marketing, and skincare endeavors, the Zhaotong native has also dabbled in content creation. In fact, through his cutting-edge videos, he helped reputable companies gain more than six million followers on Chinese social media platform Bilibili.

Winston is no stranger to hard work and has capitalized on every opportunity thrown his way. But now, he looks to make the most of his biggest one yet – a chance to win season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” and become Chatri Sityodtong’s protege.

Dorina Chihaia is full of ambition and relentless determination, and like many others, she had to overcome several of life’s toughest obstacles.

When she was just a 13 year-old girl living in Iasi, Romania, her father abandoned the family. As a result, it left her mother struggling to support her and three other siblings.

Despite living on governmental support and limited aid from relatives, Dorina dreamed of making a positive impact on the world.

The Romanian’s path to success was marked by challenges and triumphs. After narrowly missing a scholarship for an Erasmus exchange program in Italy due to a language barrier, she demonstrated remarkable tenacity by negotiating her way into the program. Her self-disciplined and intuitive nature allowed her to swiftly master Italian within a month, fulfilling her commitment to the scholarship board.

Ultimately, Dorina returned home to Romania to finish her studies at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Then, she attended Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China to study for her Masters of Law. Along the way, she earned a highly competitive role at the Trade and Investment Division in the UN ESCAP, beating out more than 600 candidates for one spot.

Dorina’s diverse talents were further showcased when she represented Romania in the 2019 Miss Universe pageant in Atlanta, USA. Following this, she founded Shanghai Flux Trading Ltd., an import/export company based in Shanghai.

As a candidate on season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,” Dorina embodies the spirit of a true trailblazer. Her life story comes with a powerful moral: with determination and perseverance, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve extraordinary success.

Gonzalo Gaston brings a diverse background and captivating life story to season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.”

He embarked on a global journey at a young age, initially moving from Spain to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta with his parents.

Seven transformative years in the Southeast Asian country laid the foundation for Gonzalo’s multi-cultural worldview, and when he returned home to the European nation with his two younger brothers, he was equipped with a richer perspective on life and humanity.

The Spaniard’s horizons expanded even further when he moved to the United States, Singapore, Poland, and Ireland, and those experiences would fuel his passion for fostering connections across borders.

After receiving his Bachelor in Business Administration from the IE Business School in Spain, Gaston joined Google as a marketing associate. After working his way up the corporate ladder to Senior Staffing Channels Specialist for the APAC region, he left to join another social media giant’s global talent acquisition team. He also acts as a luxury travel inspector and has worked with some of the world’s best hotels.

Beyond his corporate endeavors, Gonzalo is a social media influencer who frequently shares travel and fitness content.

The latter is particularly personal to the Spaniard. Growing up as an overweight child, he endured constant bullying and never fought back against his tormentors. That ultimately motivated him to change his lifestyle. He would shed 20 kilograms (41 pounds), and that remarkable transformation led to a feature in Men’s Health Magazine.

Gonzalo continues to stay active, as he frequently participates in sports and obstacle course races. In fact, he is even a member of the Spanish National Dragonboat Team.

Now, the social media guru and tech headhunter is ready to put his skills to the test in the boardroom.

Iasha King has been surrounded by strong women who have impacted her life in a major way and taught her the value of education and self-sufficiency from an early age.

Those ideals led the Kansas City, Missouri-born candidate to become a startup mentor and tech co-founder.

However, a dark event in her life helped spark a passion for Iasha in leading women against violence.

When the American was just 11 years old, she became motivated to learn self-defense after her grandmother, her mother, and herself were attacked inside their own home. That experience left a mark on Iasha, who wanted to make sure that catastrophic episode would never happen again.

A fighter in and out of the boardroom, Iasha is not deterred by her peers for her realistic outlook on life and business. She is prepared for all outcomes and does not break under pressure.

Always looking forward, the American wants to shine under the spotlight and take the next step in her professional career by thwarting her competition in the boardroom. The 32-year-old looks to win season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,” become Chatri Sityodtong’s protege, and continue inspiring the next generation of female leaders.

Leaving a mark in the male-dominated tech industry is a daunting task, but Lisa Bechina has made it look easy.

Lisa got her impeccable work ethic and ambitious drive from her mother, who made a lot of sacrifices to raise the self-professed technology nerd and her three siblings in France.

When most girls were playing with dolls in their childhoods, Lisa was eagerly learning about web development and basic coding. At the time, she was only 10 years old.

From a young age, she explored diverse avenues to generate income. At the age of 18, she launched her web development freelancing business, aiming not only to contribute to her household’s finances, but also to fund her education.

After graduating with her Bachelor’s in Computer Science from the University of Sophia Antipolis, it didn’t take her long to become a first-class technology lead and serial entrepreneur with vast experience in the development and deployment of innovative products.

Lisa has left her footprints all over the world, with startup companies based in France, Switzerland, and Singapore, where she’s currently based.

Apart from her strong mental fortitude and blossoming career, Lisa is also heavily focused on her fitness. In fact, she is a boxer and part of the Evolve Fight Team, where she continues to sharpen her skills and test them in the ring. Currently, she holds a 2-0 professional record and even owns a knockout victory.

Determined to continue paving the way for women in the technology industry, Lisa’s grit and hardworking nature make her a perfect candidate for season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.”

Dr. Manuela Loeblein may be a brilliant scientist, but she wants to prove that she has the business acumen and savvy to win season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.”

Born in Peru, Manuela is a woman of diverse heritage, with a unique blend of German and Peruvian roots.

As the daughter of a diplomat, she spent her formative years traversing the globe, absorbing the nuances of various cultures and refining the resilience that would become her trademark.

From the early days of high school, Manuela exhibited an insatiable curiosity for mathematics and physics. This passion steered her toward an ambitious pursuit – an Electrical Engineering Degree specializing in nanomaterials.

In a field traditionally dominated by men, the Peruvian encountered skepticism and belittlement from her peers and even some lecturers. Undeterred, she remained focused on her goal, ultimately attaining a Master of Science from the Technical University of Munich and a Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

During Manuela’s academic journey, she invented and patented a revolutionary foam made from nanomaterial. This groundbreaking invention aimed to disperse heat evenly in electronics, which attracted attention from multiple foreign companies. Currently, it’s being tested for satellite applications in space.

Transitioning from academia to the corporate field, Manuela embraced the role of a management consultant, lending her expertise to a diverse array of industries including oil commodities, electric vehicles, and even precision surgery components.

Now, Manuela is ready to conquer a new challenge – that challenge is season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.”

Jason Han never let any challenges dim the light of his endless potential.

Growing up in an average Singaporean family, Jason witnessed firsthand the struggles of the working class in the country. Despite their best efforts to provide for the family, his parents were severely impacted by the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis.

Though the family endured tough times and plenty of adversity, Jason found solace in the martial arts. As a child, he pursued taekwondo, and later, he trained in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He loved being a part of the community and thoroughly enjoyed the disciplines he practiced.

A near-death experience would change the martial arts enthusiast’s outlook, however. Having nearly died in a bus accident when he was 18, the Singaporean’s eyes were opened to the fragility of life and ultimately set him on a path to help empower people to take control of their own lives.

Jason then earned a scholarship to attend the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and graduated as a Dean’s Lister. But during his time as an undergrad, the Singaporean also started a sporting goods and supplement distribution company, which now represents brands such as Plantae and BlenderBottle in the Southeast Asian region.

As he continued his quest to promote patient wellness, Jason earned certifications in Longevity, Functional Medicine, and Personal Training, which cumulated in his founding of the wellness longevity collective, “Ficus.Health.”

Now, Jason looks to take the next step in his career. He joins season two of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” with hopes of becoming Chatri Sityodtong’s next protege in Singapore.

Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo was appointed Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer in November 2020. He has been a Board member of Ooredoo Group since 2011.

Since his appointment as Group MD and CEO, Aziz spearheaded some of the biggest deals in the history of the company, including the successful merger of Indosat Ooredoo with CK Hutchison, creating Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH), and the signing of definitive agreements with Zain Group and TASC Towers Holding to create the largest tower company in the MENA region.

Under his leadership, Ooredoo Group underwent a major business transformation, achieving one of the most robust financial performances in its history in 2022 and growing its subscriber base from 90 million to over 150 million subscribers.

Previously, Aziz served as Deputy Undersecretary for Budget, Treasury, and Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Finance. Prior to that, he was the Co-Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Qatar Investment Authority. He was a Board Member at Accor SA from 2015 to June 2022.

In March 2021, he was appointed as a board member of KATARA Hospitality and member of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums. In December 2021, he was appointed on the Board of Commissioners of Indosat.  He also served on the boards of Accor SA and Canary Wharf Group.

A leader in Qatar’s business landscape, Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon has been at the forefront of the country’s growing economy for many years.

Khalifa is a serial entrepreneur who has created multiple businesses that have soared to success. He is the founder of Qatar’s prominent PC gaming company Store 974 and national media organization I Love Qatar, as well as co-founder of Raqami TV, one of the world’s largest Arabic channels with over 5 million subscribers across YouTube and Facebook.

Aside from Khalifa’s innovative business pursuits in his home country, he has also tasted success internationally. Having studied and graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, the Qatari earned the British Council Entrepreneurial Award in 2020, highlighting his leading role in business innovation.

In addition, the entrepreneur is currently the Executive Advisor to the General Secretary of the Qatar Football Association, and he was recently appointed Deputy Secretary for the newly created Qatar E-sports Federation.

Khalifa’s business mind also saw him become the first Qatari to be invited to the Roosevelt Foundation in New York City. There, he educated prospective entrepreneurs on how to approach business from a unique perspective.

The Qatari’s expertise has helped turn his home country into a global travel and sports destination, resulting in a stronger economy for the bustling nation.

Ron Sim is the Founder and Executive Chairman of V3 Group Limited, a Singapore-based holding company with a globally diversified portfolio that operates across consumer businesses, capital markets, real estate, and wellness services. Its V3 Brands arm owns and nurtures leading brands including OSIM, LAC, TWG Tea, Bacha Coffee, and Le Cabestan.

V3 Group evolved from OSIM, once a humble appliance and homewares enterprise that Ron started in 1979 in his native Singapore. His passion for health and wellness saw him branch out into health products and eventually massage chairs. It was the latter that saw OSIM become an internationally renowned business with a widespread retail network of more than 400 stores.

Ron has steered the company through numerous crises over the years including recessions and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, V3 Group collectively engages more than three million customers, while serving across 5,000 retail touchpoints in 118 cities.

In addition, Ron’s entrepreneurial spirit has seen him receive a slew of awards throughout his career, including “Entrepreneur of The Year” by Ernst & Young in 2004. In the same year, he was crowned “Businessman of the Year” by The Business Times.

Sameer Sain is the Co-Founder and CEO of Everstone Group, a leading investment and operating group in India and Southeast Asia.

Headquartered in Singapore, Everstone is India’s premier private equity and climate infrastructure investor, and it is among the largest real estate developers in the country. Everstone also has many global partnerships in India including BP Lightsource, GLP, Burger King, Subway, and Lavazza, to name a few.

Sameer is active in philanthropic initiatives through the Everstone Foundation, where the core focus is empowering women through education and skills development in India and Southeast Asia, helping to create the next generation of women leaders. In addition, Sameer is a contemporary art enthusiast and collector, and he is a member of the global acquisition committee of the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

A graduate of Bombay University, University of Massachusetts, and Cornell University, Sameer is a British national who lives in Singapore with his wife, Stephanie.

Soon Loo is a renowned Executive Coach and Speaker who has more than two decades of experience as an entrepreneurship and new venture creation educator in universities across Asia.

It all started out with a business plan developed in his dorm room at the prestigious Harvard University in the United States. From there, Soon co-founded an enterprise in Silicon Valley that became recognized as a top-20 emerging technology company at Red Herring Magazine’s NDA conference.

Soon has since served on the boards of numerous public and private companies across the Asia Pacific region. Most notably, he is the former CEO of the Brunei Economic Development Board and a former Regional Vice President of AXA Group, where he focused on the company’s APAC business development and strategy. He was also a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council.

His passion for education has seen him become a visiting professor and adjunct faculty at colleges across Asia, including Singapore Management University. Soon has also shared his knowledge at Nanyang Technological University, University of Brunei Darussalam, and Universiti Teknologi Brunei, where he served on the international advisory panel.

Soon was awarded the prestigious “Ten Outstanding Young Persons of The World” (TOYP) award by Junior Chamber International (JCI) for the 2013-2014 financial year and traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to receive the honor. Past recipients of the award include Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, and Jackie Chan, all of whom also received the award before the age of 40.

Soon holds a MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Vikram Sinha is the President Director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Indonesia’s leading telecom provider. The company has been in operation since 1967 and, under Vikram’s leadership, has helped empower 275 million Indonesians with the ability to connect to the rest of the global digital world.

In 2019, Vikram took the reins as COO, and then he stepped into the role of CEO three years later when Indosat Ooredoo and Hutchison 3 Indonesia merged to create one telecommunications powerhouse.

Vikram’s success was recognized at the Selular Awards 2023, where he was recognized with the “CEO of the Year” honors. Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison also won multiple awards, including “Operator of the Year,” “Best Fiber to the Home Performance,” and “Best Gaming Operator.”

A native of India, Vikram is passionate about his adopted home country of Indonesia and the potential opportunities that lie in the Southeast Asian nation. Partnership and collaboration are features of his leadership style, as evidenced by the strong relationships that he has forged with telecommunication giants such as Huawei, Google, and Nokia.

Vikram’s mission is to build upon Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s rapid growth and provide world-class digital experiences to continue to live up to his mantra #EmpowerIndonesia.