Image: Video still of Malik Stewart hugging Steve McKee after losing to his son, Mitchell, in the Minnesota Class 3A state high school wrestling championship last weekend (Courtesy of Vanessa Schlueter)

HS wrestler loses state title match, embraces opponent's sick father
Anna Fogel

NESN

MAR 10, 2014 12:01p ET  SHARE 7.8K  TWEET 136  103

High school wrestler Malik Stewart might have lost the Minnesota Class 3A state high school wrestling championship this weekend, but he won more than a few fans at the Xcel Energy Center with his moving gesture after the match.

Stewart went up against Mitchell McKee of St. Michael Albertville High School, who wanted to win the title for his father who is battling terminal cancer. McKee came out on top of the 120-pound weight class, eventually pinning Stewart, but the moment was made even sweeter when his opponent walked right over to McKee's father after losing.

Stewart, who lost his own father to a heart attack when he was seven, knew McKee's dad was suffering from cancer so he shook his hand, gave him a hug and congratulated him on his son's victory.

"It was a big match for him and to be able to hug my dad like that and not be mad and storm off like a lot of kids do," McKee said, via KARE 11. "Really respectful."

The crowd broke into a standing ovation when they saw the incredible display of sportsmanship.


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