Dual taekwondo Olympian, ninja warrior and Fighting Lyons trainer Paul Lyons farewelled

The wife of dual Australian Olympian and ninja warrior Paul Lyons has given a moving tribute to her soulmate at his funeral service in Moonee Valley. She said Lyons was “champion of the average person” who lived to make everybody feel included.

The funeral for two-time Olympian and ninja warrior contestant Paul Lyons was held at Moonee Valley Race Club. Picture: Ellen Smith

Dual Australian Olympian and ninja warrior Paul Michael Lyons has been farewelled by more than 1000 family and friends at the Moonee Valley Racing Club.

Lyons, 50, who represented Australia in taekwondo at the 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Olympics, died in his sleep of a suspected heart attack in the early hours of September 8.

His heartbroken wife Dani Lyons gave an emotional tribute to her soulmate who she said facing life without was “unimaginable”.

READ: LYONS SHARES FITNESS JOURNEY IN LAST INTERVIEW

Pallbearers carry Paul Lyons’ casket featuring Fighting Lyons logos from the service. Picture: Ellen Smith

“My heart feels empty — everyday you filled it with a love that will never be replaced,” she told mourners.

“It was the biggest most intense love story of all. We both knew after a lifetime of searching we had found our true soulmate.

“Within weeks we had matching tattoos of the Gaelic eternal symbol of love — people thought we were crazy but we just knew we were going to be together forever.”

MORE: OLYMPIAN, NINJA WARRIOR PAUL LYONS DIES SUDDENLY

ESSENDON NINJA WARRIOR PAUL LYONS FALLS SHORT OF GLORY

LYONS VOTED MELBOURNE’S SECOND BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

Ms Lyons said her husband was the most humble person she had ever met and lived each day to make everybody feel included.

“He saw himself as just a regular bloke who loved fitness, Woodstock bourbon and salt and vinegar chips,” she said.

Paul Lyons’ stepchildren Jessica and Brandon Humphrey say their final goodbyes. Picture: Ellen Smith

Ninja Warrior Paul Lyons with wife Dani.

“He was far more than an Olympian, a champion boxer, an accomplished gymnast or a ninja warrior, he was a champion of the average person and that meant more to him than every other title.

“It didn’t matter to him if you were aged two or 70, if you had autism, were overweight, unfit or felt vulnerable … Paul would find his personal connection with you and guide you to a better place.”

Lyons competed on Ninja Warrior season two in 2018 and Ms Lyons said his passion for the sport started with her forging his signature on an application.

Paul Lyons’ death has left a massive hole in Melbourne’s fitness community. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“He had no idea I’d done it, I just said let him know later if he gets through,” she said.

Lyons — who was born in Dublin, Ireland in March 1969 before his parents moved to Carnegie in Melbourne’s southeast — took up taekwondo aged eight.

His younger brother Stephen said he quickly rose to become the best and most feared fighters at his club.

MORE NORTHERN NEWS:

BURGLARS POSE AS AGL DOORKNOCKERS IN DAYLIGHT ROBBERY

TULLAMARINE CARPENTER LIVING DREAM IN HOLLYWOOD

DAD ON DRUGS, READING TEXT BEFORE CRASHING

“Martial arts was his calling (and) the rest of his life it was all he adored,” Mr Lyons said.

“He had no fear, no matter the opponent. There was absolutely nothing he couldn’t do when he put his mind to it.”

Paul Lyons, left, competing against Morocco’s Vounes Sekkat at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Picture: Scott Radford Chisholm.

More than a 1000 family and friends gathered to farewell Paul Lyons at Moonee Valley Race Club. Picture: Ellen Smith

Mr Lyons said his brother saw everyone as family and loved making a difference.

“I idolised him,” Mr Lyons said.

“He made me a better person just by watching him, he made me a better person just by talking to him.”

The beloved coach was interred in a casket branded with the family’s Essendon North sports and training business Fighting Lyons.

Lyons’ Ninja Warrior experience was one of his proudest moments.

Recently Lyons was voted Melbourne’s second most popular personal trainer in the Leader’s Best of Melbourne series.

Hundreds of mourners and young ninjas wore their Fighting Lyons tops while fellow Ninja Warrior contestants sported bomber jackets from the show.

Musical tributes were performed by his dad Mick and fellow Olympian Ryan Carneli was a pallbearer.

The Australian, Irish, Olympic and Boxing Kangaroo flags were hung above his coffin during the service.

Ms Lyons promised her husband they would keep his “beautiful” Fighting Lyons legacy alive.

[e-mail]