World champion para-cyclist Ricardo Ten Argiles has been praised for his viral response to being gifted a watch.
The Spanish athlete - who had both his arms and one leg amputated - won gold in three separate events at the 2023 UCI World Championships in Glasgow.
He won his third para track cycling world title, obliterating the rest of the field in the C1 scratch race, averaging 44kph over 60 circuits of the Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.
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However, a video of Ten Argiles receiving a luxury watch after his impressive performances has since gone viral.
The clip shows the para-cyclist presented with a Tissot watch, courtesy of the sponsor, as he stood proudly on the podium.
Ten Argiles responded to the exchange online, writing: "Thank you TISSOT for believing in this super world of inclusion."
Onlookers have since praised the para-cyclist - who regularly wears watches - as he was filmed in another video wearing the piece on his left arm next to a river in Glasgow.
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He was asked by the person filming: "Ricardo, what time is it?"
The Valencia-born athlete responded: "It's world champion time' while holding the watch, fastened to his arm, up to the camera."
Taking to social media, one person commented: "You are a legend."
Another added: "If you are looking for an ambassador, here you have the best. Inspiring @RicardoTen_ legend!"
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A third responded: "I'm sure @TISSOT will send you a few more now. You earned it."
And a fourth replied: "You're a boss."
Ten Argiles - who has his sights on next year's Paris Paralympics - told Reuters earlier this month: "I always try to keep my motivation very high and I was competing for 21 years at a high level in Paralympic swimming, five Paralympic Games, I always loved competition very much.
"In Rio 2016 I changed to cycling because it was a goal again that kept my motivation very high because I keep progressing every season.
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"Not like in swimming where every year I was stuck and struggling to keep my best marks.
"The truth is, the style of training is very similar. You need to use different muscles but it didn't take much effort to swap from swimming pool to the bike.
"No matter how difficult life can be, it is worthy to try to enjoy it, even if only for a few moments, try to live them intensely."
Topics: Sport
Anish Vij