I visited Japan for a training camp a couple of years ago in preparation for the Olympic Games, and it strengthened my passion for the country. Since then, IвЂ™ve grown fond of Japanese comics and manga. вЂњMy passion for the country started many years ago after I watched some Japanese films. вЂњI love Japan, Japanese people and the culture,вЂќ explains Stano, who, over the past two years, has learned the language. And the fact he did it in one of his favourite countries made it all the more special. Stano, who had never before won a race outside of Italy, produced one of the biggest surprises of the Games to land his gold medal. вЂњAnd winning against two Japanese race walkers adds extra value to the medal.вЂќ вЂњJapanese people have taught me all about having respect for rivals, so it felt normal for me to bow to them,вЂќ explains the Italian race walker.

For Stano, who has immersed himself in Japanese culture for most of his adult life, it felt only natural to show such respect to his opponents. Koki Ikeda and Toshikazu Yamanishi, the silver and bronze medallists respectively, are both from Japan and earned the host nationвЂ™s only track and field medals at the Olympics.

He turned around and bowed to the next two athletes across the finish line.

When Massimo Stano crossed the finish line of the 20km race walk at the Olympic Games, he knew exactly what he ought to do.

Race x half life