Huang wins gold in doubles, then gets engagement ring
China's Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong smashed their way to a gold medal in the mixed doubles badminton event on Friday at the Paris Olympics, beating Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun of South Korea in straight sets. The Japanese pair of Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino won the bronze medal match to complete the podium. After receiving her medal on the podium, Huang's boyfriend and fellow Chinese shuttler Liu Yuchen proposed to her in front of an ecstatic crowd. Zheng and Huang made a commanding start with a strong attack to put them far ahead. Kim and Jeong tried their best to defend, but could not overcome the world number one duo in the first game 21-8.  The South Koreans stepped up their efforts with more attacks in the beginning of the second game, knowing this would determine their position on the podium.  But the Chinese side’s tactic to target one specific player at a time immediately put them back in the lead. The Chinese pair's powerful smash shots further widened the gap to end the game 21-11 and earn a gold medal. Zheng and Huang lost to their Chinese counterparts at the Tokyo Olympics in the gold medal match, but this time around they were able to reach the top of the podium in just under an hour of game play. To cap off her already special day, Huang's boyfriend Liu made a surprise appearance at the arena. He came prepared with an engagement ring, and presented it to Huang while on one knee.  "I will love you for my whole life. Will you marry me?" Liu asked in front of cameras. Overcome with joy, Huang said 'yes'.