Response from both GSP and Hayabusa
Mar 25, 2013 7:27 PM EST
On Sunday, UFC featherweight Chan Sung Jung, a Korean native, released a statement via Facebook, likening the rising sun image on the gi that UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre walked out in at UFC 158 to the Nazi swastika.
Both GSP and the gi manufacturer Hayabusa have offered apologies.
Georges St-Pierre, Welterweight champion, UFC
“I'd like to personally apologize to anyone who was offended by this,” St-Pierre wrote on Facebook. “I am very sorry, that was never my intention.”
Craig Clement, President, Hayabusa Fightwear, went further, apologizing, and stating the gi would not be brought to market.
Since Georges St-Pierre wore our walkout gi at UFC 158 we have received attention surrounding the negative connotation of the rising sun graphic used. The last thing we want is to offend or alienate anyone with the choice of design on our products.
We at Hayabusa have the utmost respect for culture and history and appreciate all of our customers worldwide. As such, we accept full responsibility for this design and are taking all complaints and comments very seriously.
The gi worn by GSP will not be brought to market. In addition, we will be very conscious of this specific design element when developing future communication materials and products.
Please accept our sincerest apology for any offense this has caused.
Mar 25, 2013 7:27 PM EST
On Sunday, UFC featherweight Chan Sung Jung, a Korean native, released a statement via Facebook, likening the rising sun image on the gi that UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre walked out in at UFC 158 to the Nazi swastika.
Both GSP and the gi manufacturer Hayabusa have offered apologies.
Georges St-Pierre, Welterweight champion, UFC
“I'd like to personally apologize to anyone who was offended by this,” St-Pierre wrote on Facebook. “I am very sorry, that was never my intention.”
Craig Clement, President, Hayabusa Fightwear, went further, apologizing, and stating the gi would not be brought to market.
Since Georges St-Pierre wore our walkout gi at UFC 158 we have received attention surrounding the negative connotation of the rising sun graphic used. The last thing we want is to offend or alienate anyone with the choice of design on our products.
We at Hayabusa have the utmost respect for culture and history and appreciate all of our customers worldwide. As such, we accept full responsibility for this design and are taking all complaints and comments very seriously.
The gi worn by GSP will not be brought to market. In addition, we will be very conscious of this specific design element when developing future communication materials and products.
Please accept our sincerest apology for any offense this has caused.