Aussie boxer Harry Garside's classy act on flight home from Olympics
It's safe to say that the Olympic Games in Tokyo unearthed a new hero for Aussie sporting fans in the form of Harry Garside.
The Aussie boxer won the hearts of supporters across the country with a brilliant display in Tokyo that culminated in Australia's first Olympic boxing medal in 33 years.
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Garside had no answer to the class of eventual champion Andy Cruz of Cuba, but the Aussie's sportsmanship and humility in defeat saw him celebrated like a champion regardless.
Despite the defeat via a unanimous points decision, Garside became just the fifth Australian to win an Olympic boxing medal and first since Grahame 'Spike' Cheney claimed silver in Seoul in 1988.
After the fight, the Aussie was all class in defeat, congratulating his opponent and holding the rope for the Cuban as he left the ring.
The Aussie admitted he'd been beaten by the better fighter and was praised for a classy post-fight interview by his new legion of fans.
Is it possible to like this bloke more than we do now?
To us, he's achieved way more than a bronze medal.
Harry Garside is out to inspire the next generation. We can't wait to see you again 💚 💛 pic.twitter.com/JYUDJB1ghF— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 6, 2021
The Olympics may be over but Garside continues to kick goals, with his incredible act on the flight home from Tokyo another chapter in his incredible story.
Garside struggled to contain his excitement after posting a video on Instagram about what would have been his first time flying business class.
“First time ever, cmonnnnsi," he captioned a photo of the business class ticket from Japan to Australia.
In a touching display of generosity, he later revealed that he gave the ticket to his coach Kevin Smith - sharing another photo of himself sitting up the back with other members of the Australian team.
“The question on everyone’s mind coach is how was business class?” Garside asked his coach in an Instagram video.
Smith chuckled before responding: “I don’t remember much about it, because pretty much as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was away.”
After a week in which members of Australia's Olympic rugby sevens team were reprimanded for drunk and obnoxious behaviour on a flight back from Tokyo, Garside's actions are a breath of fresh air for the Aussie sporting public.
Humble Harry Garside endears himself to Australia
Garside admitted after his loss to Cruz in the Olympic semi-final that it was back to the drawing board for him, but promised bigger and better things in the future.
"I've always wanted to fight him and see how I stack up against him but he was just too good tonight," a humble Garside admitted.
"Just got to go back to the drawing board, back to the gym and make sure I train harder and make sure I'm better hopefully next time I fight him.
"He was just too good today, I felt outclassed a little bit but I had a red-hot crack and that's all Australians do, we have a red-hot dip and I'm proud of myself for that.
"I really wanted to be the first (Australian) to win an Olympic gold medal but hopefully he goes far in the tournament and wins the next fight."
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