Rising martial arts star dies aged 18
Victoria "The Prodigy" Lee, one of the world's most gifted young mixed martial arts athletes, has tragically died at the age of 18.
Victoria's sister Angela confirmed the news on Instagram, saying the teenager died on December 26th 2022.
Sharing a heart-felt tribute to her sister, Angela wrote, "On December 26, 2022 our family experienced something no family should ever have to go through. It is incredibly difficult to say this... Our Victoria passed away."
"She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then. We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same. Life will never be the same."
"Each and every little thing makes me think of you. From the sun rays, to the sunset. You taught us to see the beauty in the simple things. You were our bright light. Our sunshine. And that will never change. You were perfect in every way. The best person I knew. The most beautiful girl, inside and out."
Lee was born and raised in Hawaii, where she was part of a family with a strong MMA pedigree.
Both of Victoria's siblings hold championship MMA titles from around the world, with Victoria following in their footsteps and donning the stage name The Prodigy.
ONE, the largest MMA promoter in Asia, paid tribute to Victoria and her family's devastating loss, as chairman Chatri Sityodtong recalled the first time he met the aspiring athlete.
“I first met Victoria when she was 11 years old,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “I watched her blossom over the years as a martial artist and a human being. I always remember thinking how wise, thoughtful, and selfless she was beyond her years."
"Of course, she was an extraordinary martial arts prodigy even back then, but I could see that she was so much more than that. Victoria had the purest heart of gold and a brilliant mind. She looked after others before herself. She wanted to use her life to help the world. I will always remember Victoria for the beautiful and precious soul that she was.”
Image credits: Instagram