Minnesota high school wrestler Malik Stewart gave it his all during his wrestling championship match. Unfortunately, it ended in defeat for the sophomore. But Malik stunned all onlookers directly after when he showed that there are some things more important than winning. Malik knew his opponent, fellow sophomore Mitchell McKee, had a hard situation in his home life.
Mitchell’s dad was battling terminal cancer and given only months to live. The young boy said his determination and drive to win the championship came from wanting to win it for his dad. Knowing this, Malik could identify with McKee, because he too knew the pain of losing a father. When he was just 7-years-old, his own dad died of a heart attack. “I got a little teary because I lost the match, and I knew the hard times he was going through,” Malik said.
Rather than storm off after losing, Malik walked straight up to Mitchell’s dad and gave him a hug along with words of encouragement. “The crowd went wild and I heard a couple people say after I did it — that was pretty classy — but I just did it straight from the heart,” Stewart told NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
In response to Malik’s gesture, Mitchell said, “It was a big match for him and to be able to hug my dad like that and not be mad and storm off like a lot of kids do.”
This incredible moment of sportsmanship is an inspiration to us all.
Share Malik’s example today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5erBZrhYx94
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