Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@sofialjfrank
Topics: Sport, Olympics, World News, Social Media
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Sport, Olympics, World News, Social Media
The Gen Z-Millennial divide appears to be growing, and by the looks of things, recent sporting achievements are adding fuel to the fire on the matter.
The theory comes after a Filipino-American figure-skating champion was caught giving a social media-friendly response to being awarded a trophy at this week's South-East Asian Open.
Just so we're all on the same page, a member of the Gen Z community describes an individual born between 1997 and 2012.
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And in recent weeks, members of this community have accumulated a pretty bad rep - especially from older communities of individuals.
Back in June, some Gen Zers were torn to shreds by older generations after admitting they don't know how to smoke a cigarette.
And just last week, a group of disgruntled Millennials (individuals born between 1981 - 1996) slammed the 'youngsters' for their controversial new chronoworking ritual.
So, we're not surprised to learn that a Gen Z athlete has been rinsed online for the way in which she celebrated her most recent win at the sporting tournament in Manila.
Sofia Lexi Jacqueline Frank - a Filipino-American figure-skater born in Los Angeles - has been representing the Eastern Asian team at this year's games, where she was awarded a first-place trophy for her achievements earlier this week.
Sadly, however, as we say, Frank's victory has been somewhat tainted by a bunch of social media users, who've slammed the star for her unconventional celebration ritual.
In a clip which has since gone viral online, dressed in a plush red uniform, the skater could be seen clambering onto the stage, where she appeared to be miming the words to something into a camera which was pointed at her - before casually shrugging.
And whilst this move might confuse Millennial folk, the sports champ was taking part in a TikTok trend which sees people lip-syncing the words to the iconic quote that Kanye West gave at the 47th annual Grammy Awards back in 2005.
After picking up an accolade, the rapper said at the time, 'People asked me what I would do if I didn't win... I guess we'll never know,' in a pretty legendary mic-drop moment.
Since then, thousands of TikTokers have used the sound to celebrate their own achievements... much to the delight of some unhappy older gens.
"So heavily influenced they don’t know how to be individuals," one hit out in the comments of the now-viral clip of Frank's celebration.
"Olympic record for weirdest podium approach," another jibed.
Thankfully, however, Frank's antics have also been defended by countless users.
"Let the girl have her moment and celebrate however the fuck she sees fit," one clapped back.
"She’s on a podium, you’re on social media hating," another pointed out.
A third continued: "I think she ate. She made it subtle and not over the top. And she deserves it. I think thats a genius response"