Not every unforgettable sporting moment is decided by the final score.
For Brazilian couple Felipe Graça and Raul Lima, the most meaningful moment of the Gay Games in Valencia happened only after the basketball final had ended.
The couple arrived in Spain as boyfriends and returned home engaged (Outsports).
Felipe, a 36-year-old dentist from São Paulo, competed in CrossFit while supporting Raul throughout the basketball tournament.
Raul is the co-founder, manager and starting power forward of the LGBTQ-inclusive basketball team BQT Boys.
After a dramatic championship game that saw the team narrowly miss out on gold, Felipe walked onto the court with a microphone.
Raul assumed his partner wanted to thank the team for an incredible tournament.
Instead, Felipe called Raul onto the court before getting down on one knee with an engagement ring.
The proposal caught Raul completely by surprise.
He later said he only realised what was happening when Felipe knelt down, prompting him to run across the court in tears.
The emotional moment ended with an enthusiastic “yes” and loud cheers from teammates, opponents and spectators.
Videos of the proposal quickly spread across social media, becoming one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s Gay Games.
The couple have been together for four years and share a home in São Paulo with their dog, Bubba.
Felipe said there was no more meaningful place to propose because sport has always been one of the foundations of their relationship.
Raul described the Gay Games as a life-changing experience, saying he was inspired by athletes of every age and deeply moved by competitors who travelled from countries where being LGBTQ+ remains dangerous.
The Gay Games have celebrated participation, inclusion and personal achievement since they were founded in 1982 by Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell.
For many athletes, the event is about far more than medals.
It is a place where LGBTQ+ people from around the world can compete openly, build friendships and celebrate who they are.
Felipe hopes their proposal will remind people that love still has the power to unite communities during difficult times.
Looking at the joy their story has already brought to thousands of people online, it is difficult to argue with that sentiment.
📷 @felpsgraca
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