ONE Championship star Christian Lee leaves Singapore on their feet as confetti and fireworks reign down after dramatic win
Hometown hero battled adversity to win the lightweight world championship leaving the roof of the Singapore Indoor Stadium barley rooted
A NATION was on their feet as 20-year-old Christian Lee won the ONE Championship lightweight title leaving the roof of the Singapore Indoor Stadium barely rooted.
Carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and a family of fighting martial artists it was the Singapore star's destiny to lift gold in front of his adoring fans.
Having overcome a torrid first round, where he was almost submitted, Lee fought back to victory after he floored his former Evolve MMA training partner with a flurry of punches.
You could hear a pin drop as Japanese legend Shinya Aoki was sent trailing backwards and eventually slumped to the deck.
As Lee laid down the ground and pound the referee jumped in confirming the fairytale result - and the roof of the stadium was almost taken clean off.
Every one of the 12,000 fans packed in the stadium was on their feet - including those in the press box.
It felt like an electric shock had piereced through the air as everyone rose from their seats and lost themselves in the moment.
Lee sprinted around the ring as those watching on grabbed each other and shared jubilant celebrations with emotions running high in Singapore.
While fans were keen to throw limbs and go crazy, the two fighters engaged in a show of respect that ONE Championship prides itself on.
The former training partners held hands as Aoki all but passed the torch to Asia’s next superstar.
After Lee’s victory was announced, with fans again going wild, fireworks and confetti filled the spectacle in a national celebration.
If this was showcased in a Hollywood film - the director would be slated on Twitter for an unrealistic narrative.
But the greatest of tales in sports are those that cannot be scripted.
In a period where Tiger Woods defied all odds to win a first major in 11-years and the Champions League was graced with the most dramatic of semi-finals with Liverpool and Tottenham now meeting in the final on June 1.
But on the other side of the world Singapore witnessed a World Cup winning moment - as their hometown hero, tasked with lacing up the gloves from aged four, was crowned world champion.
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Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps, who amounted 28 medals during his career, presented the gold to the ecstatic Lee, who was joined in celebration by his world champion big sister Angela.
A life dedicated to his craft, on this night Christian Lee became a national hero - and a continent was there to witness it.
Lee clutched his world title fearsomely but made sure to share it with his parents and sister - as the future now looks bright for the newly crowned 20-year-old champion.
