ARGENTINE fencer Maria Belen Perez Maurice will leave the Olympics with no medal but having gained a ring after accepting a marriage proposal from her coach.
The 36-year-old was knocked out when she lost 15-12 to Hungary’s Anna Marton in the women’s saber individual.
Minutes later she was conducting her post-match press with the broadcast media.
But Perez Maurice was interrupted by Lucas Guillermo Saucedo.
Her coach popped the question with a handwritten note.
It simply read, ‘Will you marry me?’ in Spanish as footage showed Perez Maurice turning around, seeing the A4 sign, screaming and then accepting the offer.
The happy couple hugged and kissed as they celebrated together.
Perez Maurice, who has been with Saucedo for 17 years, said: “The press told me to turn around, and he had the letter.
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“I forgot everything. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’
“We are very happy. We are very good partners.
“Of course, we have fights, but we enjoy each other’s time.
“We love each other so much, and we want to spend our lives together.”
They plan on marking the occasion when they return home to Argentina with a big barbecue.
This was the second time Saucedo has got down on one knee to ask Perez Maurice for her hand in marriage.
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However, the first time was way back in 2010 after the World Fencing Championships in Paris.
But his girlfriend – nicknamed ‘Flaca’ – rejected the proposal because she said she was still ‘too young’.
Perez Maurice competed in the fencing at the Olympics in London and Rio – but attention now will turn to arranging the special day with Saucedo.
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