Long jumper Nguyễn Tiến Trọng and sepak takraw star Nguyễn Thị Phương Trinh believe that this new chapter in their life will help them support each other in their sporting careers. Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Tiến Trọng

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Thanh Hà

Almost ten months after his proposal went viral, long jumper Nguyễn Tiến Trọng has tied the knot with sepak takraw star Nguyễn Thị Phương Trinh and the happy couple will celebrate this year's Valentine's Day as husband and wife.

After taking a career-first SEA Games gold last May, Trọng dropped down on one knee and looked up at Trinh with a ring in his hand.

Trinh, who also secured a silver medal at the Games, said 'I do' in front of athletes, coaches, staff and supporters at the Mỹ Đình Stadium. Many journalists recorded the beautiful moment.

On February 12, the world silver medal holder became the happy bride at a big wedding home in Krong Ana District, Đắk Lắk Province.

Love at the training site

The couple were both national team members training at the National Sports Training Centre in Hà Nội.

The proposal came after almost two years together.

Nguyễn Tiến Trọng proposes to his girlfriend after winning gold at the SEA Games. — Photo tienphong.vn

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"I prepared well for the proposal," Trọng told Việt Nam News.

"I don't know what I would have done if she said no, but the strong support and help from both families and friends pushed me up. And luckily, she agreed, making it my big day."

As both are athletes, they were busy training and competing all year round. Their time for each other is not much, but they know how to maintain their love.

"We are two individuals with different personalities and points of view, leading to disagreements and disputes sometimes. But we also talk and share our opinions and feelings to love with each other," Trinh said.

"After time serving the nation, we spent time with each other. In my opinion, the core value for a long relationship comes not only from love but also from sharing, sympathising, commitment and thinking of each other."

Trinh added that she was lucky as her husband was her colleague who understood and sympathised with the difficulties and challenges of an athlete's life.

The new life will be a source of inspiration for Trọng as he goes to defend his title at the 32nd SEA Games in May in Cambodia.

"We are happy as a family now. This will be the best gift for us this Valentine's Day, it is a new life, and my wife will lift me up. I am confident completing my promise of jumping 8m or even 8.10m (at the Games)," said Trọng.

Love in the race

Amateur runners Đặng Anh Quyết and Trần Ngọc Linh also enjoy Valentine's Day as a newly-married couple.

Đặng Anh Quyết and fiancee Phạm Nga run to the finish line of the 2022 VnExpress Hà Nội Midnight Marathon. — Photo vm.vnexpress.net

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Quyết and Phạm Nga wanted to have a special run together in the VnExpress Hà Nội Midnight Marathon before ending their single life.

After finishing his 42km race, Quyết waited for his fiancee, who ran in the white gown of a bride and held flowers near the finish of the 21km category. They crossed the finish line together to the cheers of many runners and supporters.

"It is the best marathon memory of our lives. Being hand in hand at the finish line demonstrates our love and represents the journey we have travelled together before getting married," said Quyết, who is one of the nation's top amateur runners after winning several titles in the last few years.

Nga also recorded good results, including top podiums in different marathons nationwide.

They met each other while training in HCM City and announced their relationship in 2022.

"We were moved when receiving people's congratulation and claps for our love. That was the moment we would never forget," said Nga, who believes that Quyết's positive energy will help her achieve more targets in sports and life.

Quyết said that running has connected the couple from the day they met and hopefully forever.

Linh also made netizens and the marathon community crazy when he ran 30km from Hội An to Đà Nẵng to propose to his girlfriend of nine years, Huỳnh Thị Tuyết Châu.

Trần Ngọc Linh finishing his 30km run to propose to his long-time girlfriend Huỳnh Thị Tuyết Châu. — Photo thanhnien.vn

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After three hours of running with a group of friends, Châu met his fiancee, presented her with flowers, and made his proposal.

"30km is not a long run to a marathoner. But to me, it is the most meaningful road of my life," said Linh.

"Because in the end, my beloved girlfriend was there waiting for me. She was wearing the bridal veil, taking my flowers and saying 'I do'. I couldn't be happier than that." VNS