Para-Karate champion with Down Syndrome happily shares the winning moment with the opponent

Competing for the winning position gets too serious in most championships. One competitor, however, reminds us that there's more to the game. On July 22, para karate champion Farzad Safavi Vardin demonstrated true sportsmanship with a kind gesture. Vardin of Iran won gold in the 'Intellectually Impaired Male' category at the 2023 Para-Karate Championship K22. Vardin went up to his opponent, who was standing next to him, and raised his hand in victory after being declared the winner in Melaka, Malaysia. The match's moderators soon joined the karate champions, and everyone raised their hands and held them.

The video of the precious victory was shared on Instagram by malaysiakaratefederation and safavi_farzad. The caption explained, "@safavi_farzad displayed an admirable character after his win against Saudi’s @fariskhouj in their Para-Karate match for the Intellectually Impaired category. Iran lead the ranking of the Para Championship with 4 golds followed by Kazakhstan & Saudi in 2nd and 3rd place. In the end, we're all winners." To promote karate among athletes with disabilities, the World Karate Federation established the Para Karate Commission in 2015. The Para Karate Commission now holds competitions for "wheelchair athletes, visually impaired athletes and athletes with mental disabilities."

Fans loved this gesture and reminder of true sportsmanship. "Soo much love for him! True sports doesn't need a medal but a winner in people's heart!" commented @niel_russell89. "Admirable athlete and a great coach," added @pooriagolshan. Abolfazl Chehrghani of Iran began the gold medal count in Para-Karate and became the new champion of Intellectually Impaired Male K21. Iran also managed to win two more gold medals in Para-Karate since Masoumeh Eiji claimed the crown in Intellectually Impaired Female K21 and Mohammad Rahim Gol prevailed in Blind/Visually Impaired Male K10.

In another precious moment of people with intellectual disabilities reminding us the importance of humanity, little Isaac Drisch with Down Syndrome, while traveling with his parents Vincent and Alice, sweetly greeted every passenger he could reach in the aisle seats. It most likely brightened the day of the passengers. Isaac's father also shared some memorable footage of his son on Instagram as he took his first flight and even got to sit in the co-pilot's seat inside the cockpit. The video was captioned in French by Isaac's father, which translates as follows, "Isaac is looking after the well-being of TGV passengers. This was a fun experience. We were getting back on the train and Isaac started saying hello to everyone and asked if they were okay. Each passenger reacted with great joy."

Viewers loved and adored this sweet gesture. "He is so sweet and simple in his relationship with each other. If we could all act this simply," wrote @fabiennepadel. "This little man is too cute if adults were like him the world would be better off," commented @tima59_. "This is so darn cute and this tiny hand and the wait for the person to return, because they are really interested in having an answer even if it's just a visual from the interlocutor! My 6-year-old daughter often says hello to people on the street. Every time people are surprised, then smile and I feel like it makes them feel good a free hello just like that without waiting. Without social pressure, it's a sign of politeness. Without an obligation to do it. Just like that. Have a good day people. We don't dare to do it anymore but it feels so good to give a free smile to the people who cross our lives," shared @laboxparty.