Gymnast Emma (29) is asked to marry after the last game on winner’s flodium, the public goes all the way out of his roof (inland)
The 29-year-old Gymnast Emma Danneels could not control her tears last weekend. It was the very first time that her team won, and then her friend Wouter asked her again on stage. The audience went crazy.
« I still can’t believe that this really happened, » says 29-year-old Emma Danneels from Laarne. She dreamed of an original proposal. But she never expected that it would be so grandiose.
Last weekend she participated in the final of ‘Best Show Teams’ in Ghent. The best Ropeskipping, dance and demo teams in Flanders compete against each other. Emma and her friend Wouter van der Stricht (27) participated with the Demo Team of TK Olympia from De Pinte.
© Eric T’kindt
In recent weeks they trained even harder than usual and that was rewarded. They won the final. « We had never won a competition for this season. We were already second or third, but we have never brought in gold. »
As icing on the cake, Wouter Emma asked to marry when they were together on the winner’s flodium in the name of their team. « I had more stress for that than before the competition itself, » laughs Wouter.
© Eric T’kindt
While 1,500 spectators and 500 gymnasts watched them, Wouter went on one knee. The head of the jury presented the ring. « My gymnastics suit had no bags, so I couldn’t keep it up myself, » laughs Wouter. The tears flowed past Emma’s cheeks. In the meantime, the audience went wild.
After a close hug and kiss, the other members of TK Olympia also stormed on stage. In the meantime, in the background All of me from John Legend. « Everyone was crying, » says Wouter. « Even people who don’t know us were emotional. Only Emma’s parents and our head coach Robin knew in advance that I was going to do this. »
© Eric T’kindt
For Emma it was extra emotional. Last Saturday was her last game. « We both stop demot gymnastics, » says Wouter. The combination with their work and their personal training studio Wefit has become tough. Soon they will also renovate and Wouter will remain in Ghent.
« This farewell seemed like a great moment for a proposal, » says Wouter. “Even if we had been second or third, I would have asked. But that we were first, made it even more special, of course. I think I succeeded in my design. Emma could not have wished for a more original proposal (laughs). «
© Eric T’kindt
