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‘He means everything to me’: Coach Dean Boxall’s celebration of Titmus’ gold goes viral
By Sarah Keoghan
Swimming coach Dean Boxall has captured the heart of the nation after bursting out into spectacular celebration following Ariarne Titmus’ gold medal win.
In vision which has now gone viral on social media, Boxall ripped off his mask, threw his fists in the air and launched into pelvic thrusts at a glass barrier in excitement as Titmus beat long-term rival and US champ Katie Ledecky.
His colourful celebration, which seems to have resonated with the rest of the nation, was all too much for a nearby security guard who made failed attempts to cool Boxall’s movements in the name of COVID-19 safety.
Dean Boxall ripped off his mask, threw his fists in the air and launched into pelvic thrusts as Titmus beat long-term rival and US champ Katie Ledecky.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s the kind of guy who does wear his heart on his sleeve,” Ian Thorpe said in commentary.
“He means everything to me,” she said. “We didn’t discuss what I wanted to do in the pool. It was more of a have fun moment. We practised this for so long. I just knew what I had to do when I got out there.”
Boxall was in tears by the time Titmus made it onto the podium.
“It was actually hard to contain it. I could see Dean on the other side bawling his eyes out,” Titmus said after putting on the gold medal.
“You don’t see that that often so that made me want to tear up.”
Almost as animated were the Australian women’s water polo team, who were taking the bus back from a training session when the race began.
Watching along on phones, iPads and laptops, footage was captured on the team’s electric reaction to the gold, with the bus full with cheers and screams.
Post-race, Ledecky described Titmus’ game plan as “really smart” and said her Aussie rival was simply more controlled in her swim.
“I looked up at 300 metres and she was right there so I knew it would be a battle to the end. I didn’t feel like I died or really fell off,” the US champion said.
“She just had a faster final 50m or 75m and got her hand to the wall first.”
Ariarne Titmus embraces Coach Dean Boxall after the medal ceremony for the women’s 400m freestyle final on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
Aussie legend Dawn Fraser was standing beside Titmus’ parents Steve and Robyn in Noosa as she claimed the gold.
If there’s anyone who can fully understand the effort which goes into a gold medal win - it’s Fraser.
“The team did so good. I can hardly speak, to be honest,” she said after Titmus’ win.
“It was wonderful of Ariarne because she swam her own race and she had the last 25m and there was no way Ledecky was going to catch her.
“She knew exactly what she had to do and swimming her own race and not being overshadowed by Ledecky, it made her the winner.”