There may have been no moment more viral from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics than the celebration of Dean Boxall, the Australian swimming coach whose theatrics while watching his swimmers claim gold went mega-viral, making international headlines.
But he is more than simply a passionate supporter, being one of the most respected coaches in Australia as we approach the 2024 Paris Olympics.
With a strong medal-contending contingent as part of the Australian Olympic swimming team, Boxall is once again headed to the Games, looking to cheer his athletes to victory.
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Who is Dean Boxall?
Dean Boxall is an Australian swimming coach, based in Brisbane with St. Peters Western.
He went viral during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, with his celebration of swimmer Ariarne Titmus' gold medal performance causing entertainment, as well as some controversy.
Titmus’ coach Dean Boxall looked like every living room across the country. What a moment. pic.twitter.com/j7z9a3nRuQ
— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) July 26, 2021
Since then, he has become renowned for his over-the-top celebrations in the swimming world, and in 2021 he was also named the Swimming World International Coach of the Year.
Dean Boxall with his patented "I'm gonna rip this railing out of the ground" celebration pic.twitter.com/zDQEJMZEPZ
— Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell) July 23, 2023
Boxall returned to the Olympics this year, with a number of his athletes once more vying for glory.
Which swimmers does Dean Boxall coach?
One of Australia's most prolific swimming coaches, Boxall oversees the training of numerous 2024 Olympians.
This includes gold medal favourites Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O'Callaghan, as well as Elijah Winnington, Mitch Larkin, Meg Harris, Abbey Harkin and Clyde Lewis.
Titmus took home the gold in the 400m freestyle, outlasting Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky to pick up the third gold medal in the past two Olympic Games. Boxall's reaction was far more subdued this time around, however; he opted to hand out a few high fives before racing down to the pool to celebrate with his standout pupil.
Winnington, meanwhile, finished second in his run at the 400m title, falling just short of Germany's Lukas Märtens.
How old is Dean Boxall?
Boxall was born in 1977 and is 47 years old.
