Top athletes mourn Chadwick Boseman

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"Wakanda forever": Hamilton dedicates his pole position to Boseman

Chadwick Boseman's death caused consternation internationally - and that far beyond the film industry. Over the weekend, numerous athletes and actors remembered the late actor and paid tribute to his services. Boseman died of colon cancer on Friday at the age of 43. With his portrayal of the superhero "Black Panther", Boseman became a symbol for many black people.

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang devoted a celebration to Boseman. The footballer crossed both arms over his chest and celebrated his opening goal against Liverpool FC.

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"May you rest in peace": Aubameyang celebrating the goal

Justin Tallis / dpa

Aubameyang's club won the Community Shield - the game between the FA Cup winners and last season's champions - on penalties, with the striker converting the decisive penalty. "May you rest in peace," Aubameyang had previously written on Instagram about Boseman. "You gave us so much hope and strength. Thanks for everything #WakandaForever." In March 2019, Aubameyang had already worn a Black Panther mask when celebrating a goal.

US basketball star LeBron James crossed his arms during the national anthem before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. "There is no doubt that 2020 is the shitty year of my life," he told reporters. He lost Kobe Bryant and the "Black Panther" in one year. Bryant died in a helicopter crash in January.

Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has also long been known for his activism. In order to symbolically support the "Black Lives Matter" protests, the Mercedes Silver Arrows will be driving with black paint this year.

"Rest in power my friend"

Lewis Hamilton

After his pole position in qualifying at Spa, Hamilton also folded his arms. Hamilton said he looked up at Boseman. "This has been such a difficult year for all of us, but hearing that news this morning really hurt," he later wrote on Instagram.

Boseman has inspired a whole generation of young black men and women and left them a true superhero to look up to. "Rest in power my friend."

Boseman had received the cancer diagnosis in 2016. In public he did not talk about his illness, instead he continued to work persistently on major film projects in Hollywood.

"Black Panther" grossed more than a billion dollars and received three Academy Awards. The film is hailed as a milestone in African American cinema.

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"You gave us so much hope and strength": Boseman 2018 at the Oscar party

In his role as T'Challa or "Black Panther", king of the fictional African state of Wakanda, Boseman became the first black superhero in the history of the Marvel studios and a symbolic figure.

He also played black icons like baseball player Jackie Robinson in "42" and musician James Brown in "Get on Up". Most recently he starred in the war drama "Da 5 Bloods" directed by Spike Lee. A sequel to "Black Panther" was planned for 2022.

slü / dpa