via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – Athletics – Women’s 200m – T11 Round 1 – Heat 4 – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – September 2, 2021. Guide Manuel Antonio Vaz da Veiga on one knee proposes to Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo of Cape Verde in front of other athletes after competing REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – Athletics – Women’s 200m – T11 Round 1 – Heat 4 – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – September 2, 2021. Guide Manuel Antonio Vaz da Veiga on one knee proposes to Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo of Cape Verde in front of other athletes after competing REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Being able to represent their country at the Paralympics is a huge moment for athletes. The experience stays with Paralympians for their whole life. While some athletes reach the Paralympic podium, some don’t. The intensity of the matches is so high, athletes miss out on the medals by a whisker. Spinter Keula Nidreia Pereira also unfortunately failed to reach the finals.
Although Nidreia won’t go home with the gold, she will go back with a life-long memory. She got a heart-warming marriage proposal from her guide on the track, post-match.
Nidreia gets the Diamond at Tokyo Paralympics 2020
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Nidreia Pereira Semedo competes in the 200m T11 race. She is a visually impaired athlete and has a guiding partner to help her run. In the heats of the 200m race, Semedo finished at the last position, missing out on the semi-finals.
But what happened next was a fairytale moment for Nidreia. Her guide Manuel Antonio Vaz Da Vega pulled her to the side as she was just catching her breath after the race. Manuel Antonio then went down on his knees and asked Nidreia the big question. While her guide was proposing to her, other athletes and their competitors gathered around.
Nidreia Pereira Semedo said yes to the heartwarming proposal, making it the most memorable moment of Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
#Paralympics proposal alert 🥺
Manuel Antonio Vaz da Veiga, guide to Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo, popped the question after the women's T11 200m heats
May the two of them run together for life! ❤️#Tokyo2020 #ParaAthletics pic.twitter.com/BYfWVwtwYm
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) September 2, 2021
Marriage proposal at Olympics 2020
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The Tokyo Olympics 2020 also saw a similar incident. Argentina’s fencer Maria Perez Maurice also missed out on the podium finish at the mega-quadrennial games.?Even after facing a disappointment in match, Maria’s day lightened up. Maria’s coach Lucas Guillermo Saucedo proposed to her in the most heartwarming way.
There are more than just Olympic rings at the #TokyoOlympics 💍
Argentine fencer María Belén Pérez Maurice was giving an interview after a match when her fencing coach Lucas Guillermo Saucedo surprised her with a marriage proposal.
(Video courtesy of TYC Sports) pic.twitter.com/hm66ZuzzxH
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021
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While the fencing athlete was in an interview, her coach gave her a huge surprise. Lucas got down on her knee, holding a paper in her hand, asking her to marry her.?Though these athletes might not have the medal with the Olympic ring, they have another ring to focus on. These special moments in sports make it more memorable for fans and athletes.
