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.
Sportsmanship from Keegan Messing at the Autumn Classic ⛸️.
During the medal ceremony, the Canadian unfurled the Japanese flag for winner Yuzuru Hanyu to face throughout his national anthem.
Recap from the #ACI19 men’s final: https://t.co/CzKZypDTnl@SkateCanada pic.twitter.com/FNJHvyMOON
— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) September 15, 2019
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.
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
RELATED STORIES:
Skating star Hanyu battles emotions to discuss Japan quake trauma
Japan bows out of World Cup with clean locker room and thank you note