Argentina Fencer Perez Maurice lost match but won in marriage

Argentina’s Maria Belen Perez Maurice may have lost her chance at a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but she’ll leave with a ring

[July 26, 2021: Rebecca Shavit]

Maria Belen Pérez Maurice and Lucas Guillermo Saucedo celebrate their proposal at the Tokyo Olympics. Photograph: Sakura Murakami/Reuters

Argentina’s Maria Belen Perez Maurice may have lost her chance at a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but won’t be changing coaches anytime soon.

Instead of leaving with a medal, she’ll leave with a ring.

During the middle of her post-game interview following the 15-12 loss against Hungary’s Anna Marton in the woman’s saber individual, her coach/boyfriend Lucas Guillermo Saucedo ran in with a note saying, “Will you marry me??? Please,” in Spanish.

Footage shows her turn around, scream at the message, and accept the proposal from her partner of 17 years. The pair then shared a sweet kiss.

“They (the press) told me to turn around, and he had the letter. I forgot everything. I was like, ‘oh my god,’” Perez Maurice told reporters.

“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.”

Perez Maurice – who won gold at the 2014 Pan American Championships and competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016 – said they will celebrate their engagement in “Buenos Aires with a big barbecue.”

Saucedo decided to pop the question when Maurice lost her game. He would have waited longer had she made it to rounds.

“I love her, and when she lost the match she got very sad, so maybe this proposal should change her mentality,” he said.

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Tags: #Global_Good_News, #Sports, #Engagement, #Olympics, #The_Brighter_Side_of_News


Joseph Shavit
Joseph ShavitSpace, Technology and Medical News Writer

Joseph Shavit
Head Science News Writer | Communicating Innovation & Discovery

Based in Los Angeles, Joseph Shavit is an accomplished science journalist, head science news writer and co-founder at The Brighter Side of News, where he translates cutting-edge discoveries into compelling stories for a broad audience. With a strong background spanning science, business, product management, media leadership, and entrepreneurship, Joseph brings a unique perspective to science communication. His expertise allows him to uncover the intersection of technological advancements and market potential, shedding light on how groundbreaking research evolves into transformative products and industries.