Here are the Top Ten Sportsmanship Moments 2023 in reverse order.
You can listen to these 10 x 1 minute stories presented by myself, PR Smith and hosted by BBC Radio London sports show anchorman, Phil Parry. And/or you can read them below (plus watch some videos relating to some of the stories):
in 10th Place….. Aussie Rule Football
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is a cult hero for Essendon who play in the Aussie Rules AFL. If you watch the youtube feed of other Tipungwuti moments, you’ll see that he was an outrageously talented player in a very tough sport. ‘Tippa’ also had a tough upbringing. He was raised by his grandmother. She passed away when Tippa was just 10. He was parentless. His schoolteacher Jane McDonald adopted him and became his mother. His livewire energy and skills were loved by all. However, the 29 year old retired to deal with personal issues. His manager said “He was in a pretty low place not so long ago.”
So after 588 days in retirement he came back as a sub. As he ran onto the pitch, all 68,000 fans cheered (including opposition ‘Hawks’ fans) and then …. he scored a goal. The stadium went nuts. Asked how he’ll celebrate, Tippa answered: ‘I promised my mother if I got back into Essendon team, I would buy her a caravan.’ He kept his word.
https://youtube.com/shorts/soOtkZ1Hvho?feature=shared
9th Place ….. A Singaporean Helps an Indonesian Runner
South East Asian Games 2023 (Athletics) way back in May. This biennial SEA Ganes has participants from 11 countries. The Indonesian, 10,000 M runner, Rikki Marthin Luther Simbolon tried to grab some water during the race but dropped the water. What happened next though, was spectacular. Singapore’s Soh Rui Yong, who was behind Simbolon in the race, did manage to collect a water cup, took a small mouthful, caught up with Simbolon and handed him his cup of water. The commentator spotted it and said: ‘You cannot make that up. You cannot fake it either. Soh Rui Yong is a gentleman’. Simbolon went on to win gold, with the ‘gentleman’ Soh Rui Yong, finishing second behind Simbolon and ending Singapore’s 40-year wait for SEA Games medal in men’s 10,000m.
8th Place A Beaten Serbean Tennis Player Applauds Young Spanish Victor
It’s July and It’s Wimbledon Tennis Championship – ‘The all England Lawn Tennis Championship (The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet club) . Love him, or hate him, it’s Novak Djokovic, again. After Djokovic was beaten, in the final, by Spain’s young tennis star, Carlos Alcarez, Novak Djokovic gave his runner’s up speech which oozed class. “Not so good for me but good for Carlos . I have to start obviously with praise to Carlos and his team. Amazing. What a quality in the end of the match, when you had to serve it out you came up with some big serves and big plays. So you deserve it. Absolutely. Congratulations. Amazing. Amazing.” Dignity in Defeat.
7th Place – An 11 year Old Philipino Girl Wins 3 Gold Medals Without any Shoes
Athletics 11-year-old Philipino girl wins three golds with just bandages on her feet. This story is about a school kid – and ordinary athletes ….. this is a story about grit, resilience and determination, and freedom…. Rhea Bullos is an 11-year-old track athlete from the Philippines. She recently competed in a running meet without any shoes, just bandages covering her ankles and feet. Rhea beat the odds and won. 400 , 800 and 1,500 meter competitions. Three gold medals from the gritty and free runner, Rhea Bullos.
6th Place English Footballer Consoles Nigerian Goal Keeper
Football: Women’s World Cup: was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand back in July (20 July to 20 Aug). England were the current European Champions (2022) and pipped by a very good Spanish team. BUT earlier in the competition – at the initial knock-out stages there was a magical moment of sportsmanship …. Eng v Nigeria.
Nigeria were the better side -outplaying the 10 Player England. It was 0-0 after extra time. The penalty shoot out was clinched by England’s Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning penalty to take England through to the quarter-finals. BUT she halted the usual celebrations and ran over to comfort the Nigerian goalkeeper, Kia-maka Na-dozy Chiamaka Nnadozie who was lying on the ground in tears.
Kelly, along with Alex Greenwood, helped the distraught Nigerian keeper up off the ground. Respect, friendship, humility and comraderie – all in one moment.
5th Place – Ukranian High Jumper Applauds Australian Opponent
2023 World Championships (Athletics) Budapest (September)
Ukrainian high jumper, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, took gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest in an emotional final event of the competition. There was a heart-warming moment where she was seen lying on the ground clapping/cheering on her opponent, Australian Eleanor Patterson, who eventually finished in 2nd place. Great sportsmanship and respect from the Ukrainian gold medalist.
4th Place – Danish Fans Sing ‘One Bobby Charlton’
Football: Manchester United and England legend, Bobby Charlton, passed away 21/10/23. I remember watching England in 1966 on Black & White TV. Charlton was amazing. Then Law, Best & Charlton for MUFC. And of course I remember 68/69 European Cup – in colour in cinemas. Charlton was magnificent. Here’s a nice moment …
United’s first Champions League match since his passing was against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford. The Copenhagen fans showed their respect to Bobby Charlton by singing: “One Bobby Charlton, there’s only one Bobby Charlton, one Bobby Charrrrllllltonnnn”. Great respect from opposition fans.
3rd Place – South Africans and Tongans Embrace and Pray Together Post Match
Rugby World Cup – way back in Oct (1st) After a very tough and intense last group B match between South Africa and Tonga. Tonga scored 3 tries against the world champions but lost 49-18. However, it was a really tough battle.
At the end of the game, the two sets of players came together arm in arm, knelt down and prayed together (whilst still on the pitch). It was a truly special moment showing great respect between the two teams. [Note to readers: I am available to discuss Ireland Beating SA in the group stages!!].
2nd Place – 83 Year Old Scottish Cricketer + 77 Year Old English Footballer
Cricket: Alex Steele, a Scottish cricketer proving that age is just a number, because at the age of 83 he still plays wicketkeeper for Forfarshire. He plays with an oxygen cylinder on his back to counter the effects of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Steele, who played for Scotland in the 60’s and 70’s believes continuing to play cricket has prolonged his life.
“One of the most important things is your own attitude to the illness,” Alex believes. “I know of people who when something ill happens to them, give up the ghost and feel sorry for themselves. I haven’t felt that myself. Resilience! Link
We’ve got our own 77 year old, Tommy Taw – plays for my vets (veterens) side, Kenchels (and he writes books about sport) and plays great football. These guys have great determination, free spirit, resilience + Mental attitude – Mind over Matter!
1st Place – the Top Great Sportsmanship Moment 2023 comes from two rival Italian sword fencers
This is the Italian U23 Fencing (sword fencing) Championships Final – back in April. For 10 years, Emilia Rossatti’s and Gaia Traditi were opponents facing each other in fencing competitions throughout Italy for a decade. Now they faced each other in the Italian u23 fencing final.
Traditi was winning 12-9 with just 17 seconds to go. She then suddenly fell awkwardly to the ground and twisted her ankle. A medical attendant rushed to her, and the clock was stopped. For 5 minutes, the doctor attended her and eventually got her back up to complete the fight. Traditi was clearly in pain and without balance.
Emillia Rossatti now had the opportunity to attack and win the final.
She did the opposite.
Instead of stepping forward and attacking she stepped backwards and then forwards to kill the time. The buzzer went, the two embraced and Gaia Traditi was the winner. In many ways so was Emelia Rossatti as she won the respect and adminration from everyone watching that night.
An extraordinary demonstration of sportsmanship from Emilia Rossatti – proving honour, respect and friendship is a greater prize than winning medals.
I wish you the best for 2024. If you post a comment we will reply to you within 72 hours. Please spread these stories and any of our free posters on to friends.
Thanks to Cian Smith, to BBC Radio London Sports Show host, Phil Parry and everyone who has sent in sportsmanship stories that you spot throughout the year.
It is very much appreciated. Now finally, here’s an additional bonus clip of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti giving his original emotional retirement speech. You can see why he is loved by so many.
Don’t forget you can listen to these 10 x 1 minute stories being told by myself, PR Smith, and hosted by BBC Radio London sports show anchorman, Phil Parry.
If you liked this, you might also enjoy
Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2022
Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2021
Top 5 Sportsmanship Moments 2020 (Covid Year)
Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2019
Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2018
Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2017
Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2016
Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments 2015
A great selection and a real reminder of the true and enduring values embedded in all sports all across the world. It helps us to know that whatever your age, gender or ethnicity is you find your true self through engaging honestly in sport. Sadly, there are cheats and chancers who get disproportionate attention. It has been a really refreshing and uplifting read this morning.
Thanks
Yes James I like that finding ‘your true self through engaging honestly in sport’. It does build stronger characters. BTW, I’ll add the BBC Radio London audio file in a few days so you can hear the stories being told – if u want to share to anyone else.