Team USA figure skating star Amber Glenn goes viral for surprising act of kindness with devastated Japanese rival

At a moment when the Japanese figure skating star was heartbroken, American competitor Amber Glenn did her best to protect her rival.

Thursday’s women’s singles free skate marked the last time Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, who plans to retire, will compete in the Olympics.

Sakamoto was in a good position to win his first gold medal, but some critical mistakes caused him to win the silver medal instead.

Sakamoto was in tears when she came off the ice and was consoled by American Alysa Liu, who would go on to win the gold medal.

However, after the skate, Sakamoto stood aside for a while to vent his emotions. It was at this point that Glenn stepped in to comfort her, but realized a cameraman was recording them.

Glenn then stood up and waved his hands in front of the lens to block the camera’s view before saying something to the cameraman.

Sakamoto was the gold medal favorite but made mistakes in his free skate to win silver

Glenn comes to Sakamoto’s defense as he criticizes ‘meddling’ media

Afterwards, Glenn is seen commenting on the situation under a TikTok video of the scene.

The skater allegedly said, “Dude, I know it’s their job, but they’re going to meddle in your business when you need space, that’s crazy.”

25-year-old Sakamoto started the free program by getting the second best score in the short program two days ago.

However, technical errors on a pair of jumps caused him to finish 1.91 points behind Liu in the silver medal.

‘I just felt regret,’ Sakamoto said (via Olympics.com). ‘I really can’t say. I don’t remember what was between the elements. I need to look back and see.

‘I wasn’t that nervous. But… I guess that’s how my story ends. It hurts, I have to admit.

‘I came this far but I couldn’t make it. The disappointment is unbearable. I felt like the bronze medal last time was a miracle and I have a better medal around my neck, but I was still disappointed; That probably says a lot about all the work I’ve done in the last four years.

‘And I just want to pat myself on the back for that.’

Glenn redeemed herself after a tough short program by finishing fifth in the women’s singles

Glenn experienced his own heartbreak in the short program. He had been the favorite to win a medal among the American ‘Blade Angels’.

However, a slump in his short program led to a lower-than-expected score and tears from Glenn.

However, he made a big recovery in the free skate and achieved the third best score of the night, placing fifth in the general classification.

‘I just thought, ‘I’m going to do what I do best, which is enjoy skating,'” Glenn said, ‘and that’s what I did today.’