'Caged' Aussie swim coach explains iconic Olympic moment
Australian swim Dean Boxall has revealed the 'cagey' environment of the Olympics was part of the reason for his wild celebration at the Games when Ariarne Titmus won gold.
Boxall made worldwide headlines when his wild 'Ultimate Warrior' celebration was caught on camera when Titmus stormed home to win the 400m freestyle gold in Tokyo against the great Katie Ledecky.
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The Aussie coach was so happy for Titmus that he said the celebration was like an 'out-of-body' moment.
Following his return home from Tokyo, Boxall spoke to Ben Fordham at 2GB about the lead up to the celebration and what may have caused one of Tokyo Olympics' most memorable moments.
“I felt more caged,” he told 2GB.
“It was such a blow up. People telling me I was running up and down. I actually asked our Australian management if I could go across to the other side of the pool, and (they) could put me in a room, so I could watch this race and I can move or run.
“They said we can’t do that. So I actually sat with the team and I felt caged.
“It was probably a bit of a disappointment for me that I couldn’t be myself.”
Dean Boxall has no regrets over Olympics celebration
Despite some backlash for his celebration, most viewers around the world praised the Aussie for his enthusiasm.
And Boxall has no regrets.
“That was just me. The girl won, she beat the greatest. What am I meant to do? Sit down and have a cup of tea?”
“Honestly. Please.”
Boxall said after the 400m, the pair were psyched for the 200m showdown with Ledecky.
While Titmus was ranked No.1, Ledecky was the Olympic champion and held the world record for the 400m.
But after Titmus blitzed the field in the 400m, Boxall said the Aussie felt a different pressure when heading into the 200m freestyle final.
However, it was the 400m final that put Titmus on the world stage.
She triumphed in a titanic final on defeating five-time Olympic champion Ledecky after touching first in a time of three minutes 56.69 seconds.
The Aussie, in lane three, kept watch on Ledecky in lane four in what became the utimate match race between the pair.
The American held the lead for the initial 300m but Titmus was watching her all the way, literally lurking at her heels.
The young Australian ominously surged closer and was just 0.16 seconds behind Ledecky with 100m remaining.
Titmus then reeled in her rival in a perfectly-executed race plan to win by half a body-length.
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