Preedee TeoIn case you missed it: A golden day turned into a doubly special occasion for Chinese badminton player Huang Yaqiong. Not only did she win her first Olympic gold, but she also said “yes” to a marriage proposal from her partner, Liu Yuchen, a men’s double silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The following day, on the other hand, there was also another proposal which stole the hearts of netizens.
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Winning gold in mixed doubles
Image credit: Xinhua | Official Website
Huang Yaqiong’s gold medal victory alongside Zheng Siwei was a landmark moment for the Chinese badminton team. Their dominant performance against Korea secured the first Olympic podium finish for the sport this year.
A golden moment was waiting to be unveiled
Image credit: BWF | Facebook
The golden moment turned into a doubly special occasion for Huang Yaqiong. Immediately following her gold medal win, her boyfriend and fellow badminton player, Liu Yuchen, surprised her with a romantic proposal. Overwhelmed with joy, Huang accepted.
Reflecting on the unforgettable day, she shared, “Winning gold and getting engaged—I never saw this coming.”
Huang and Zheng had previously won the mixed doubles silver at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The pair savoured this gold medal win, as it marked a redemption from their previous defeat. Zheng, who had proposed to his partner after their 2021 loss, said that this victory was undoubtedly a sweeter experience for Huang and Liu.
A double win for a double proposal
Image credit: viwraaiueo (L) and xiincheng (R) | Twitter
The following day, China’s Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan clinched the gold medal after their decisive victory over compatriots Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning. It also appeared that the celebration did not end there as they were shown to have exchanged rings with each other to what would have been yet another proposal that mimicked a proposal that had occurred the day before. Or so it seemed.
Image credit: BWF | Facebook
Viewers might have missed a humorous celebratory moment between Chen and Jia. The duo playfully mimicked the romantic proposal of their compatriots, Huang Yaqiong and Liu Yuchen, who had gotten engaged the day before following Huang’s decisive victory. The stunt was all in good fun and added a light-hearted twist to the celebration.
Memorable Olympic proposals
Image credit: Christophe Simon | AFP (L) and Rakuto Makino | IOC Media (R)
The Olympics has become a centrestage for love stories that have left a lasting impression for audiences all around the world. In one of the most iconic moments, Chinese diver He Zi was surprised with a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Qin Kai after winning silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, a moment witnessed by millions. More recently, the romantic spirit of the Games continued as a pair of Argentine athletes became engaged in the Paris Olympics Village just days before the competition began.
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The Paris Olympics have already delivered a whirlwind of excitement in just a short time. From heartwarming proposals to thrilling competitions, there’s been something for everyone. As the Games continue, we can only anticipate more unforgettable moments!
Featured image credit: BWF | Facebook
Featured Facebook image credit: BWF | Facebook (L) and viwraaiueo | Twitter (R)
