WATCH: Canadian figure skater holds up flag for Japanese Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu

Canadian figure skater Keegan Messing was admired for his sportsmanship during a medal ceremony. Image: Olympic Channel

A Canadian figure skater offered a touching gesture to his Japanese competitor during a medal ceremony at a figure skating competition in Ontario, Canada on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Double Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu was being awarded a gold medal during the  Autumn Classic International figure skating competition.

As the Japanese national anthem began to play, bronze medalist Keegan Messing unfurled the Japanese flag and held it up so that Hanyu could face it, CBC reported on Sunday, Sept. 15. After the anthem, Hanyu bowed to Messing.

A video of the sportsmanlike gesture was posted on Twitter by the Olympic Channel.

https://twitter.com/olympicchannel/status/1173150154515464192

During the victory ceremony, Messing snapped a selfie of him, Hanyu and silver medalist Kevin Aymoz from France, which he posted on Instagram yesterday, Sept. 18.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kMRYUpJBQ/

Japanese nationals have expressed their gratitude to Messing on Twitter.

“Keegan Messing-san, many Japanese people love you because of your action for the national flag. When you come to Japan at a skating competition, I will give you a lot of encouragement for your performance,” promised one @rascalsan1.

Twitter user @holydragon2222 wrote, “Thank you Keegan. You are very fair and have great sportsmanship. Japan respects people like you.” JB

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