Unlike most 19-year-olds, Christian Lee truly lives and breathes martial arts

It seems as if ONE Championship featherweight prospect Christian “The Warrior” Lee was always destined for greatness.

The 19-year-old was nurtured in a family of martial artists that supported his every choice, but he did not just participate to fulfil anyone else’s wishes. As a matter of fact, martial arts has always been his true passion.

When these two circumstances collide, it tends to bring about a very special athlete. Just a look at his older sister, Angela, reaffirms that point. She was brought up the same way, and the undefeated heroine became the inaugural, reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion.

Christian has already started delivering on his potential. He holds an impressive professional record of 6-1, is a pankration world champion, and owns a black belt in taekwondo and a brown belt in BJJ.

His legs have been used for kicking almost as long as they have been used for walking. Most importantly, the time spent in the gym training has not dampened his enthusiasm. In fact, it has made it even stronger.

“I found my passion. Waking up at five in the morning to go for a run is not taxing on me, because I know why I am doing it, and I love what I am doing,” Lee reveals.

With the physical and mental stress that training in martial arts can put on a person, it is understandable that most athletes seek a respite now and again. In their free time, they do something totally unrelated that can take their mind off things, be it video games, other sports, or even the occasional party.

Not Lee, however. Between training sessions and when a hard day on the mats is over, he is researching and watching other matches, in an attempt to glean any potential tips and tricks that he can use in his own game.

“People always ask me what I do outside of competing, but in my down time, I am still trying to consume as much martial arts as I can.”

This is the kind of obsession that sets a good martial artists apart from a great one. It is not talent or an innate ability, but hard work, perseverance, and a continued thirst for knowledge. Also, this happened to come under the watchful eye of parents who were sympathetic to the cause, being lifelong martial artists themselves.

That combination looks to bear fruit, as "The Warrior” believes he can achieve anything with his family by his side. “I feel there is nothing anyone in this family could not do,” Lee explains. “Because when one person in the family does something, everyone is behind you. Our family bond is what makes us so successful.”

Incredibly, Lee is still many years away from his physical prime, the Evolve MMA representative has already shown the ability to hold his own against the experienced combatants he meets in the cage, suffering defeat in just one of his seven contests.

This is merely the beginning of a journey for the eager youngster, with the next step coming at ONE: QUEST FOR GREATNESS at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 18 August. He will meet Keanu Subba, and the winner will most certainly be thrust into the top of the featherweight division.

Lee is already living his childhood dream of being a professional martial artist, and next to tick off the list is attaining championship gold. When passion and skill combine, the results can be astonishing.