Slovakian race walkers Hana Burzalova and Dominik Cerny get engaged at finish line at World Athletics Championships

Two Slovakian race walkers got engaged at the finish line after their respective 35km events at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Hana Burzalova was approaching the finish line at the end of her 35km race walk in Budapest with her partner Dominik Cerny waiting for her. He had just finished his own 35km men’s race.

To the surprise of the crowd and, of course, Burzalova, Cerny then got down on one knee and proposed.

It was good news for Cerny as Burzalova said ‘yes’ and Cerny was able to punch the air in delight, before picking up his soon-to-be wife.

Cerny, 25, came 19th in the men’s race to record a personal-best time of 2:32.56.

Burzaslova, meanwhile, recorded a season-best time of 3:02.47 as the 22-year-old finished 28th in the women’s race.

“What I want to know is did he carry that ring the whole competition or have it stashed away somewhere?” said the announcer.

It is just the latest heartwarming moment to take place at this year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

USA’s Katie Moon and Australia’s Nina Kennedy both landed pole vault gold on Wednesday after agreeing to share the top medal.

The two women cleared 4.90m in a final that lasted two hours and 10 minutes, but both missed all three attempts at 4.95m and decided to share the victory rather than have a jump-off.

“I jumped out of my skin tonight. It was super crazy,” Kennedy said afterwards.

“I cannot explain it. It was surreal. I jumped 4.82 two or three years ago so I knew I had some higher heights in me and tonight I just placed them together.

“To win a gold medal, it is just a dream come true – I knew I could get on the podium, but it was a miracle to get the gold. So I think a miracle happened tonight.”

It was the second consecutive world title for Moon, who also won Olympic gold in Tokyo.

“I am completely satisfied. What a battle it was,” the American said.

“When it became obvious that only Nina and I were still jumping, the show had just started. I think we both motivated each other. When she had a good attempt, I also wanted to have it.

“It was tiring but worth the effort. What an amazing night. I hope everyone enjoyed that one. We did.”