Visually impaired runner Keula Nidreya Pereira Semedo of Cape Verde, who finished fourth in the women’s 200 meters at the Tokyo Paralympics, received a sweet offer from her guide Manuel Antonio Vaz da Veiga.
The two, who are partners on the track, became partners for life after a touching proposal after the women’s 200m race on Wednesday.
After the race, Manuel Antonio Vaz da Vega, her guide, took her right hand, got down on one knee and produced the engagement ring. Semedo, 32, looked visibly excited and accepted the surprise offer with a loving hug in front of the other contestants.
Visually impaired runners compete with a guide who is attached to them via a small link, so Semedo and da Vega were already a solid team on the course. She showed off her engagement ring as the other runners’ guides explained to them what was happening, prompting smiles and applause all around.