'This is shameful': Olympic boxer divides over 'foolish' podium act
British boxer Ben Whittaker has caused a stir after opting not to wear his silver medal on the podium in Tokyo after falling agonisingly short of gold.
Arlen Lopez won gold in the men's light heavyweight category at the Tokyo Olympics after defeating Whittaker in the final.
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However, Whittaker was visibly devastated following the fight.
The medal ceremony took place only moments after the bout and when presented with his second place award, Whittaker didn't place it around his neck.
Instead, Whittaker put it down by his side and appeared in tears.
When the boxers on the podium took a photo to celebrate their achievements, Whittaker stood back.
He then joined the other boxers, but cut a solemn figure in the corner.
Whittaker later explained his disappointment and said he felt like a 'failure' to the BBC.
"You don't win silver, you lose gold. I'm very disappointed - I feel like a failure," he said.
"You're in this game to win gold. I don't want to feel like this again. I'm going to put this to the back of my mind.
"I'll come back, trust me."
โBE PROUD BEN!โ scream the GB teammates & staff in the stands.
Whittaker reluctantly edges towards the other medallists & pulls the๐ฅ from his pocket & joins for a ๐ธ.
A hard defeat, but๐ฅis still a ๐ฅ achievement & hopefully heโll be happy to wake up with a medal tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/n0e0nSojoMโ Nick Hope - the dyslexic journalist๐๏ธ๐จโ๐ป๐๐ปโโ๏ธ (@NickHopeTV) August 4, 2021
Ben Whittaker's podium act divides fans
Whittaker's post-match act on the podium and the interview certainly divided fans.
Many felt Whittaker showed poor sportsmanship in not accepting his medal with grace.
While others felt for Whittaker had showed his mentality is that of a winner and a boxer.
This image really illustrates my view that winning is everything .. GB boxer Ben Whittaker is distraught after losing out on the Olympic gold medal in a split decision against Cuban Arlen Lopez .. He took off his silver medal .. He realises that 2nd is nowhere .. @Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/rJ7I1IZD4L
โ Mike Parry (@mikeparry8) August 4, 2021
Not a great look in the boxing menโs light heavyweight medal ceremony. Britainโs Ben Whittaker is so disappointed he refuses to put the silver medal around his neck and sticks it in his pocket instead. He then leaves the podium without acknowledging the others. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/r9c9ghMqlc
โ Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) August 4, 2021
Odd from Ben Whittaker not to wear his silver medal on the podium.
Visibly upset with his loss but clearly beaten in the gold medal fight.
Still a great achievement when the dust settles, but bordering on unsporting behaviour to not wear your medal. #Olympics #Boxing #Tokyo2020โ Catalan Cockney (@CatalanCockney) August 4, 2021
Whittaker was very contrite in the mixed zone. Accepted he lost by a way. Didn't mean disrespect, just an immature reaction. Wearing his medal now.
โ Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) August 4, 2021
I understand Ben Whittaker's disappointment at not winning a gold medal, but for him to say he lost a gold medal just isn't true.
You have to beat the best to be the best, and *this time*, he didn't. #boxing #OlympicBreakfastโ Goose Willis (@GooseC1) August 4, 2021
Disappointed with Whittaker if Iโm honest to disregard the silver medal
โ Todd French (@toddfrench19) August 4, 2021
I like that interview from Ben Whittaker, honest and disappointed with a silver medal because in his mind he hasn't won the silver he's lost the gold and that is the mentality he needs to move forward.
โ Dawkins (@Si_23Q) August 4, 2021
I understand Ben Whittaker's disappointment at not winning a gold medal, but for him to say he lost a gold medal just isn't true.
You have to beat the best to be the best, and *this time*, he didn't. #boxing #OlympicBreakfastโ Goose Willis (@GooseC1) August 4, 2021
Anyone else think Ben Whittaker was a bit of a spoilt brat at his medal ceremony/ interview afterwards? โ you donโt win silver you lose goldโ ffs very babyish didnโt even see him put medal round his neck ! ๐กContrast with the 13 yr old skateboarder who won bronze !! ๐๐๐๐โค๏ธ
โ jaki (@jaki11643088) August 4, 2021
No doubt Ben Whittaker regrets not wearing his medal on the podium but he maybe wasn't helped by the ceremony taking place immediately after his fight. Hard to be too critical of someone who dedicates five years to a dream and comes within a whisker of realising it. #Boxing
โ matt maher (@mjmarr_star) August 4, 2021
Ben Whittaker at the medal ceremony?
Completely embarrassed himself.#BBCBreakfast #OlympicBreakfastโ simon alcock (@simongalcock) August 4, 2021
Cut the "Sportsmanship" BS This Man @BenGWhittaker is a True Competitor. He hid and pocketed that Silver because he knew he could do better, and that's how you improve. #Boxing #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/NQAYIU08IP
โ T (@GManeValues) August 4, 2021
Pretty sure Ben Whittaker will reflect on his words today and realise he's totally wrong
He'll probably regret not putting that medal around his neck and standing proud#Tokyo2020 #TeamGBโ D@ve F ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (@davey_lad) August 4, 2021
What a total arse, Whittaker was lucky that it wasn't a unanimous decision yet he didn't even have the manners or sportsmanship to accept his medal with grace. He behaved churlishly just like the English football team in Euro 20๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐น
โ jethro the dog (@JethrotheDog) August 4, 2021
Ben Whittaker foolish stance on winning/receiving Silver medal in Olympic boxing; if you're not happy then give it back!!!! ๐
โ ledpinkgen (@ledpinkgen) August 4, 2021
Bit ordinary at the medal ceremony there from Ben Whittaker. Not a good look. Ought to be proud to be on the podium. Did well, beaten by a high class boxer. No need to disrespect your opponents on the podium though.
โ Sports Turmoil (@sportsturmoil) August 4, 2021
This is SHAMEFUL.
Benjamin Whittaker won silver on boxing and refused to wear the medal because "he hadn't won silver, he had lost gold".
That's SO disrespectful with other athletes...
Such lack of sportsmanship! https://t.co/zIcUWpLftVโ neeksnhell ๐ง๐ท๐ง๐ท๐ฅ (@orochidiot) August 4, 2021
Whittaker later apologised for his behaviour.
โI was doing it for everybody at home and I felt like a failure. At the time, I should have put this beautiful silver medal round my neck and smiled because this is not just for me, itโs for the country,โ he said.
Regardless, Whittaker looks like a real prospect and the 25-year-old will be one to look out for as he turns professional.
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