February 20, 2021
It was never our goal to make them all fighters
We trade techniques. He met Jewelz while at university in Hawaii. "They are
extremely talented,†he said. "It’s amazing, (Christian) making his debut. "Of
course I feel nervous.. "I want to be world champion in as many weight classes
as possible. The day ends with a second round of sparring after work and
school."Martial arts is separate.†The children are grounded or get lengthy
lectures if they choose going out with friends over their studies or their
training, Jewelz said. Ken said his children had the passion to learn martial
arts, which their father took up to fight off racist bullies while he grew up in
Canada in the 1970s.They will be ringside with the rest of the family when
Angela and Christian take to the cage at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena on Friday
night.Growing up, the two loved playing cops and robbers, chasing each other and
grappling on mats that were spread around the house. "It was never our goal to
make them all fighters, we just wanted them to learn to defend themselves,â€
Jewelz said."Now that we’re older and more mature, we try to help each other get
better and not beat each other up,†said Angela. Christian makes chicken and
eggs for much-needed protein during training while Angela prepares salads using
kale, berries and mandarin oranges.The family start their day with mum’s
pineapple and ginger smoothies before hitting the gym. Christian is not shy
about his big dreams.†As their two eldest children kick off their professional
careers, the Lees are now preparing to train their two younger children.Mixed
martial arts competitors Christian (left) and his sister Angela "Unstoppableâ€
Lee train with their parents Jewelz and Ken in a hotel gym in Manila. It’s no
longer like, I will try to choke you out. I’m extremely focused. "They’re still
kids. Go beyond, and that is what will make us proud,†Jewelz said.†Jewelz said
she finds it hard watch her children get hurt in the ring, and keeps herself
calm by praying.Her husband added: "You’re always a parent first, you cannot
make that go away. Just because we’re physical, doesn’t mean we get physical.And
his parents couldn’t be more supportive. At 11 and nine years old respectively,
Victoria and Adrian Lee are set to follow in the footsteps of their elder
fighting siblings. MMA was just the next step,†said featherweight Christian.
That’s why we train them extra hard, for less chance of injury (and) greater
chance of victory. But they’re good kids. Genetics can get you so far, you have
to have the spirit and they do show that,†he said. — AFPAngela "Unstoppableâ€
Lee charges with a quick jab and a cross, catching her younger but much bigger
brother, Christian, in a choke hold as their father nods in approval. I’m gonna
be nervous for him and focusing on my fight at the same time,†said Angela, who
is attempting her fourth win in as many fights. Born in Canada, raised in Hawaii
and now both representing their father’s home country of Singapore, the Lee
siblings learned how to punch and tumble soon after they learned how to walk,
according to their parents, who run a martial arts gym while working in real
estate in Hawaii.Her father Ken Lee, who has Singaporean roots, held back tears
as he watched his children grant media interviews China chair pads
manufacturer and pose for photographers at the end of a sparring session.
This is their dream and they’re living their dream at such a young age,†the
43-year-old said.And their parents, who also double as their coaches, will be
outside the steel cage giving last-minute directions and at the same time,
praying they don’t suffer career-ending injuries. It’s heartbreaking to see your
children in pain,†she said. Also ringside will be two younger Lee siblings aged
11 and nine, who are also eyeing careers in the uncompromising fighting sport..
Beneath her sweet smile, Angela admitted to being more competitive, treating
their sparring sessions as if they were real fights and taking criticism
personally. Unbeaten straw weight Angela, 19, has been dubbed "Unstoppable†on
the way to winning her first three professional bouts by submission, one using
the rare "twister†lock. We talk a lot,†Ken said.."Martial arts keeps our
family together."My parents started me off at a very young age. It’s crunch time
in training camp for the two teens, who will chase dreams of mixed martial arts
stardom on the same fight card in Manila on Friday. The more I started training
the more I liked it. "We always tell them, don’t follow mum and dad.The Lee
siblings are poised to win over fans, especially in Asia where it is common for
whole families to take up martial arts, said One Championship CEO Victor Cui.
There is synergy in doing things together,†said family matriarch Jewelz Lee,
who is of Korean descent, after a sparring session that ends with the Lees
locking heads and arms in a huddle.It’s a moniker which 17-year-old Christian
will try to live up to when he makes his professional debut as One
Championship’s youngest fighter. "It’s quite an emotional time. "We train,
that’s our lifestyle. Ken and Jewelz laugh when asked if they settle family
arguments in the ring. I feel like I’m preparing for this my whole life,†he
said
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