On a glorious Friday at the Olympics, China's badminton star Huang Ya Qiong achieved a day of unforgettable triumphs, both on and off the court. Partnering with Zheng Siwei, Huang clinched the gold medal in mixed doubles, overpowering South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun with a commanding 21-8, 21-11 victory. This win marked the culmination of an unbeaten run in Paris, underscoring their dominance in the tournament.
As if winning Olympic gold wasn't enough, Huang's day took an even more thrilling turn when she was surprised with a wedding proposal from her fellow badminton player, Li Yuchen, who is also a member of China's national team. Standing on the podium with the gold medal adorning her neck, Huang said yes, sealing a perfect day with an unforgettable moment of personal joy.
athlete badminton beregu campuran China won their gold medal and he proposed to her wow im gonna end it all pic.twitter.com/4TIu7IcHep
— malaytwt (@hourlymalaytwt) August 2, 2024
For me, the proposal is very surprising because I have been preparing for the game, Huang shared through an interpreter. Today I am an Olympic champion and I got proposed to, so that's something I didn't expect.
According to AP News, Huang and Zheng, who previously won silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, showcased their resilience and skill throughout the tournament. They went 3-0 in group play, securing the top seed for the quarterfinals, and maintained an impeccable record, finishing 6-0 without dropping a single game.
Reflecting on the journey, Zheng remarked on the significance of their victory and the memorable proposal. I think it must be happier for her, he said. Last time it was purely for my proposal, but this time is basically double lucky things happening at the same time.
In other matches, Japans Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino secured the bronze medal by defeating South Koreas Seo Seung-jae and Chae Yu-jung 21-13, 22-20. Despite their victory, Watanabe expressed a sense of longing for a higher achievement. The bronze medal is not the best, Yuta admitted. I wanted the gold medal, but this is better than nothing.
China's dominance in mixed doubles badminton continues to shine brightly, with the nation winning gold at consecutive Olympics and securing five out of the eight gold medals since the event was introduced at the Atlanta Games in 1996. The legendary Wang Yilyu, who retired after winning gold in Tokyo with Huang Dong Ping, left a legacy that continues with the new champions.
Adding to China's remarkable performance in badminton, the country is assured of both gold and silver in women's doubles. Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan will compete against Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning in an all-China final set for Saturday, further cementing China's prowess in the sport.
Huang Ya Qiong's golden day at the Olympics is a testament to her dedication, skill, and the extraordinary joy of unexpected moments. It was a day of gold and diamonds, a celebration of athletic excellence and personal happiness, marking a chapter in her life that will be cherished forever.
Source: AP News
