China’s Huang Yaqiong made headlines not only for winning the country’s first Olympic Gold medal in mixed doubles badminton at the Paris Games but also for a heartfelt marriage proposal immediately following the medal ceremony.
Huang Yaqiong, alongside her partner Zheng Si Wei, clinched the Gold medal on August 2, 2024, dominating the mixed doubles final with a decisive victory over South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Jeong Na Eun. The victory was a historic achievement for Chinese badminton.
Amidst the celebrations, Huang Yaqiong’s teammate and partner in the sport, Liu Yuchen, surprised her with a marriage proposal. As the La Chapelle Arena buzzed with excitement, Liu Yuchen walked onto the court with an engagement ring, getting down on one knee to propose to Huang. The crowd erupted in cheers as Huang, wearing her Gold medal, tearfully accepted the proposal.
In a post-proposal interview, Huang expressed her joy, stating, “I cannot describe the feeling I have because I am happy, happy, happy. Getting the Gold medal is recognition of our journey, and the engagement ring was an unexpected and wonderful surprise. I never thought about celebrating this moment in such a special way.”
Liu Yuchen, who competed in the men’s doubles event with partner Ou Xuan Yi, did not advance past the group stage. Despite this, his proposal added an unforgettable personal touch to an already historic day for Chinese badminton.
