Lee, world champion in 2011 and 2013 in his natural non-Olympic under 63kg division, moved down to the under 58kg flyweight category to win silver at London 2012 before shifting up to the heavier event this year. 

After bronze and silver medals in the opening two legs of the Grand Prix series, he had long looked on the cusp of topping the podium in his new-found event but was facing a strong field which included both the reigning under 63 and under 68kg world champions in Belgium's Jaouad Achab and Turkey's Servet Tazegul.

But the latter duo had not contended for the superb Iranian Behnam Asbaghikhanghah, the Incheon 2014 Asian Games winner who edged past Achab in his second bout before a quite thrilling semi-final victory over Tazegul in the opening fight of the evening session.

The Iranian held a huge lead deep into the fight, but Tazegul - also the reigning Olympic champion and widely considered the most exciting fighter in the sport - came roaring back with a combination of dazzling shots to level proceedings at 22-22, before agonisingly losing out in the golden point decider.

His victor may have ultimately committed too much, however, as he ran out of gas in the final, leading 4-3 heading into the third round before Lee eased clear.

Using his strong defence to prevent his opponent from landing scoring shots, Lee began finding the target with ease, producing a succession of three-pointers to open out a conclusive 16-7 lead and effectively seal his chances of qualifying for Rio 2016.

Tazegul took one of the two bronze medals, while the other was taken by the loser of an all-South Korea semi-final in Kim Hun.

If the first final of the evening was an Asian affair, the second was all about Europe as France's Haby Niaré overcame Turkish rival Nur Tatar in the women's under 67kg division.

In a cagey and low scoring affair, her firm defence was key as she engineered a 3-1 victory.

Tatar added yet another silver medal to her collection following runners-up spots at the London 2012 Olympics and 2015 World Championships, as well as bronze at the Baku 2015 European Games.

In the final match of the evening, Uzbekistan's Dmitriy Shokin continued the sensational form that has seen him win gold at the World Championships, Summer Universiade and the Samsun-leg of the Grand Prix series this summer.

He was pushed all the way this time, however, requiring a golden point to see off Cuban opponent Rafael Castillo after trailing for virtually all of their final. 

While the atmosphere was slightly mooted at times this evening, it is expected to ramp up several notches over the weekend when British world champion Bianca Walkden begins her over 67kg quest tomorrow, before London 2012 under 57kg winner Jade Jones competes on the final day of action on Sunday (October 18).

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