Dual taekwondo Olympian, ninja warrior and Fighting Lyons trainer Paul Lyons dies suddenly

Two-time Olympian, former Ninja Warrior contestant and high-profile Essendon North personal trainer Paul Lyons has died, with his devastated family mourning his “tragic and unexpected” passing.

Paul Lyons (left) takes on Morocco’s Vounes Sekkat during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Picture: Scott Radford Chisholm.

Dual taekwondo Olympian, ninja warrior and beloved coach and personal trainer Paul Lyons has died suddenly aged 50.

Essendon’s Lyons, who represented Australia at the 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Olympics, died in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning.

His shocked wife Dani paid tribute to her “beautiful husband” whose death “was sudden and devastating for our family and community”.

Paul Lyons with young trainees Sienna Borg, 12 and Tahlia Borg, 7, in Essendon North.

A tribute has been posted on the family’s Essendon North sports and training business Fighting Lyons’ Facebook page.

“We are overwhelmed by the message(s) of love and condolences coming in for our beloved Paul Lyons — we thank you all from the bottom of our heart,” the post said.

“Paul’s death was tragic and unexpected, and the family are struggling with the prospect of life without him.

“To our amazing patrons, please know that Paul cherished everybody who stepped through our doors as his own kin. His guidance and mentorship will be missed.”

Paul Lyons competing on Ninja Warrior. Picture: Channel 9

Coach Paul Lyons at the gym in Essendon Daniel, 10, Julian, 8 and Jude, 4, Saccuzzo, in 2018. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Lyons competed on Ninja Warrior season two in 2018 where he fell on the basket toss two obstacles from the finish line.

He was awarded the Australia award for services to sport and in retirement following the Sydney Games he was appointed the national junior development coach in taekwondo.

Lyons was also an accomplished boxer and won multiple state titles.

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Before he was a coach and personal trainer, he was a truck driver delivering beer kegs, which he used for cross-training.

Tributes from friends and clients have flowed on the Facebook page with one post receiving more than 900 comments and 215 shares.

Personal training client Bridie Wallace said Lyons showed her the strength she had as a woman and helped her tap into her true essence.

“You never doubted our ability because we were women or mum’s (sic) in fact you were in awe of us and how we showed up against the odds, every morning, supported each other like family and kicked some butt,” she said.

OCTOBER, 1999: Paul Lyons, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games profile shot.

Lyons (blue) vs Younes Sekkat of Morocco in the men's 58kg division of taekwondo at the Sydney Olympics.

“You were a true man Paul, you stood behind us and allowed us to shine.

“We will always be so thankful for what you gifted us at Fighting Lyons.”

Adam Lawes paid tribute to a true gentleman with a heart of gold and a superstar of a man.

Tahlia Leigh Taverna said Lyons was her first coach, who introduced her to the sport of taekwondo and became a father figure for her and her siblings.

“You were such an amazing person Pauly, you had an incredible impact on so many peoples lives,” she said.

Katrina Palumbo said his enthusiasm and love for what he did would be “irreplaceable”, while Rachelle Miceli said Lyons “inspired … and motivated so many to strive for the stars”.

Friends of the Lyons family have started a small GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover memorial costs and to keep his dream at Fighting Lyons alive.

Fighting Lyons will be closed for the next few days while the family grieves with their loss. Memorial arrangements will be announced in coming days.

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