World champion para-cyclist praised for response after being gifted watch, he's a double amputee on both arms
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World champion para-cyclist Ricardo Ten Argiles has been praised for his response to being gifted a watch at the UCI World Championships in Glasgow.
The Spanish athlete, who has both of his arms and one leg amputated, won gold in three separate events at the weekend event.
And Ten Argiles was twice presented with a luxury Tissot wristwatch on the podium, with a video of one of those occasions having gone viral.
The athlete handled the moment with amazing credibility when presented with a flashy box containing the watch, courtesy of the championship’s main event sponsor.
The 47-year-old holds the box in his arms and smiles out towards the crowd proudly while standing on the podium.
Ten Argiles responded to the exchange online, writing: "Thank you TISSOT for believing in this super world of inclusion."
Indeed, onlookers have since praised the para-cyclist, who frequently wears watches, after he was filmed in another video wearing the Tissot watch on his arm in Glasgow.
When asked the time by the person filming the clip, the Valencia-born athlete responded while holding the watch fastened to his arm up to the camera: "It's world champion time”. It can be viewed in the clip below.
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In response, one person commented on X, formerly Twitter: "You are a legend."
Another said: "If you are looking for an ambassador, here you have the best. Inspiring @RicardoTen_ legend!"
A third wrote: "I'm sure @TISSOT will send you a few more now. You earned it."
And a fourth replied: "You're a boss."
Ten Argiles, who is set to compete in next year's Paris Paralympics, told Reuters earlier this month: "I always try to keep my motivation very high and I was competing for 21 years at a high level in Paralympic swimming, five Paralympic Games, I always loved competition very much.
"In Rio 2016 I changed to cycling because it was a goal again that kept my motivation very high because I keep progressing every season.
"Not like in swimming where every year I was stuck and struggling to keep my best marks.
"The truth is, the style of training is very similar. You need to use different muscles but it didn't take much effort to swap from the swimming pool to the bike.
"No matter how difficult life can be, it is worthy to try to enjoy it, even if only for a few moments, try to live them intensely."
Featured Image Credit: CureBore via Twiiter
Topics: Cycling, Fan Reactions
