Quzhou athlete proposed to on podium in Paris

File photo: Huang Yaqiong (third on the right) poses for a group photo in Hangzhou. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese badminton duo Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong won gold in the mixed doubles final at the Paris Olympics on Aug 2. After the award ceremony, Liu Yuchen, a fellow Chinese badminton player, proposed to Huang, the girl from Quzhou.

Roared on by an enthusiastic crowd, Huang and Zheng demolished South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun, 21-8, 21-11, to win their first Olympic title together, making up for their loss in the final at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

After the medal ceremony, China's men's doubles player Liu, who has been dating Huang for years, showed up at the athletes' exit, to the surprise of Huang, and amid thunderous cheers, fell to one knee and proposed with a shining ring, with the moment captured by photographers from across the world.

"He really surprised me. I didn't know it. I was only focusing on preparing for the final. The ring fits me well and I was so happy to live perhaps the happiest day of my life," Huang said while showing journalists the ring on her finger at the post-final news conference.

Zheng appreciated his partner for fulfilling their joint career goal, and congratulated her particularly for opening a new chapter in her life.