The internet is abuzz with admiration for Japanese equestrian star Yoshiaki Oiwa and his heartwarming selfie with his equine partner, MGH Grafton Street.
Japan’s bronze medal victory in the equestrian team eventing at the Paris Olympics, following France’s silver and Britain’s gold, was a cause for celebration. While the entire team, including Ryuzo Kitajima, Kazuma Tomoto, and Toshiyuki Tanaka, shared their triumph on social media, Oiwa took it a step further.
Recognizing the invaluable contribution of his horse, Oiwa posted a delightful selfie featuring himself beaming with pride, holding the bronze medal, alongside MGH Grafton Street, who playfully stuck out its tongue. This endearing image quickly went viral, amassing over 300,000 likes on X.
NBC Washington’s Haleigh Hoffman aptly described the picture as the “Best selfie of the Olympics,” a sentiment echoed by the NBC Olympics & Paralympics X account. The post highlighted the significance of Oiwa and Team Japan’s achievement, marking the country’s first equestrian medal in 92 years.
Social media users were captivated by the heartwarming moment, with one suggesting that all horse races and events should include similar selfie opportunities.
The last time Japan claimed an equestrian medal was in 1932 when Takeichi Nishi, the son of a baron, secured gold in individual jumping at the Los Angeles Games.
Oiwa’s celebrations extended beyond the viral selfie. He shared another picture with his teammates, Kitajima, Tomoto, and Tanaka, proudly displaying their medals in front of the iconic Arc de Triomphe. A touching video documenting MGH Grafton Street’s journey home after the competition added to the heartwarming narrative.
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