He could hardly contain himself!
Athing Mu's mentor cheered in excitement as she made history as the first American to win gold in the 800-meter in more than five decades, HuffPost reports.
19-year-old Mu made history during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in the 800-meter race since 1968.
ATHING MU TAKES THE GOLD! 🥇
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2021
She is the first American woman to win the 800m since the 1968 Mexico City Games. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/WmJq2dYulr
While folks around the world rooted for her as she clocked in at 1:55.21 for her victorious win, there was one person more elated than all the rest, her mentor, Trenton, New Jersey Track Club coach Al Jennings.
Jennings and coach Bernice Mitchell first met Mu as a young girl, training and helping her cultivate her talent and skills. Now, Jennings got to watch that same girl run as an Olympian. As he watched her race, Jennings was beside himself, cheering, clapping, and at one point, standing up and running with her as he urged her to keep her lead. Donned in a red shirt and hat, her forever coach was clearly beside himself with joy!
Check out Jennings' heartwarming reaction below, captured by WHYY News.
Trenton’s Athing Mu wins gold in the 800 meters in Tokyo!!! @WHYYNews pic.twitter.com/YwYLliqzHo
— Emma Lee (@EmmaLeePhoto) August 3, 2021
Congratulations Athing! You've got so much to be proud of.
Photo Courtesy of Petr David Josek/Associated Press