PERRONE'S GOLDEN EXIT

Spain are water polo world champs after beating Hungary in skipper's final match

- David Lee

During his 20 days in Singapore, Felipe Perrone picked up an autobiography about the Republic's founding father Lee Kuan Yew to learn more about his leadership, the culture here and how the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) hosts evolved from Third World to First.

On July 24, the men's water polo legend capped his illustrious quarter-century-long career with a storybook ending as Spain beat Hungary 15-13 in a record-breaking final on July 24 for their fourth, and his second, world title.

Fittingly, in his last match before retirement, the 39-year-old ran down the clock in front of a sell-out crowd at the 3,000 seater OCBC Aquatic Centre, then turned on the afterburners to sprint clear and score his team's final goal of the match to seal victory in the most goal-laden WCH water polo final.

Finishing his final match with a perfect two goals from two shots, he told The Straits Times: "This was really like a movie and I couldn't believe it. I'm so, so happy and so proud of the team."

"I was crying for the last six months every time the guys said beautiful words about me. These are people whom I spent more time with than with my family, so to finish like this with them next to me was really special."