A meme is born
For many of the competitors taking their place at the Tokyo Olympics, it’s been a long, long five years.
With the Games finally up and running – despite concerns of an eleventh-hour cancellation – few would blame them getting a little emotional if, after all that’s happened, they end up with a gold medal around their necks.
We might not, however, have expected their coaches to reach quite the same level…
Step forward Dean Boxall, who instantly went viral for his passionate celebration as he watched Ariarne Titmus claim gold for Australia in the final of the women’s 400m freestyle on Monday.
The 20-year-old inflicted a surprise defeat on Katie Ledecky – the American’s first individual loss at an Olympics. Watching on from his position in the stands, Boxall burst into celebration. Beginning with a few fist pumps, he quickly tore off his face mask before thrusting his hips into a nearby barrier.
Take a look. It’s really quite something.
https://twitter.com/7olympics/status/1419487919665041408
The frenzied celebration quickly swept across Twitter:
SHOUT AHT DEAN BOXALL #Tokyo2020 #Olympics
— Lord Zito (@VivalaZito) July 26, 2021
I think he enjoyed it 😂
Ariarne Titmus’ coach Dean Boxall celebrates her gold in the 400m freestyle 🙌🏻🙌🏻pic.twitter.com/HXEmSP62FJ
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 26, 2021
Titmus’ coach Dean Boxall looked like every living room across the country. What a moment. pic.twitter.com/j7z9a3nRuQ
— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) July 26, 2021
Ariane Titmuss’s coach Dean Boxall capturing the mood of the nation. pic.twitter.com/pqvgPCrIy7
— Rudi Edsall (@RudiEdsall) July 26, 2021
Boxall’s celebrations came on a day when Great Britain claimed their first gold medals of the Games.
After Adam Peaty became the first British swimmer to win gold at back-to-back Games, Tom Daley claimed his first gold ever alongside Matty Lee in the men’s synchronised 10 metre platform diving.
