Since the exhibition games leading up to the Paris Olympics, South Sudan has shown its potential and excited fans. Giving Team USA a scare just a week ago, now in their Olympic debut they battered Puerto Rico. However, the path wasn’t as straightforward as it seems. As an underdog team, South Sudan also faced disrespect when the wrong national anthem was played. This was one of the most “sad moment(s)” for Wenyen Gabriel, who did not let adversity knock him down.

Reflecting on the incorrect national anthem incident, Gabriel shared, “Yeah, at the beginning of the game, it was a sad moment for us when they made a mistake with our national anthem. That was heartbreaking for us. I felt pain when I heard that, but I think it also helped motivate us. Different adversities motivate us. Overcoming adversity makes us better” as per Basket News.

The 27-year-old did not let this demotivating moment affect him. Instead, he took motivation from the fault and performed exceptionally well in South Sudan’s maiden Olympic game. He scored 6 points with 9 rebounds and 2 assists, becoming a key defensive player for his team during the game, which helped South Sudan triumph over Puerto Rico by a 90-79 margin.

South Sudan had been showing their potential since their exhibition game against Team USA when LeBron James & Co. had to script a fightback from a double-digit margin to narrowly trump South Sudan by a 101-100 tally last week in London. Thus, South Sudan justified their selection in the Olympics and proved their mettle to the world. This victory serves as the icing on the cake. As for Gabriel, he couldn’t attend the opening minutes of the game when the right national anthem was played.

Wenyen Gabriel could not be there for the correct national anthem

Gabriel had to leave for the locker room when the correct anthem was played and unfortunately, he didn’t have the proud moment of singing along to the national anthem with his teammates. “I had to go to the bathroom before they played that one,” Gabriel shared as per Basket News. He wanted to be excused for that since he understood that they “couldn’t have warm-ups afterward” and hence had to leave in a rush.

But Gabriel, as stated before, rose to the occasion when his team needed him. He showed the world that South Sudan’s imminent display against Team USA wasn’t a fluke.

Perhaps, South Sudan will continue its strong performances, and Gabriel will once again step up when his team clashes with Team USA on Thursday. Until then, fans will revel in the nation’s Olympic victory.

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Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.