Olympic Taekwondo Star Jack Woolley Says “Yes” After Dancing With The Stars Finale
Irish Olympian Jack Woolley had two big moments last week. He competed in the grand finale of Dancing With The Stars. Then hours later, he got engaged to his boyfriend Dave Stig. Talk about a perfect finish.
A Night to Remember
The couple has been together since 2021. They shared their happy news on social media with a simple photo. Jack showed off his new ring with the date “17/03/2025” as the caption. This wasn’t just any day. It was the day their lives changed forever.
Jack, 26, didn’t just dance on the TV show. He also spoke about a tough time in his life. After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he was attacked by eight people in Dublin. This attack put him in hospital and left him with a scar on his lip.
“But seeing myself smiling on TV and with my confidence back… I think the lip makes me, me. And I wanted to keep it,” Jack said. His words show how he turned pain into strength.
The Attack That Changed Two Lives
The attack didn’t just affect Jack. It changed Dave’s life path too. Dave was so moved by what happened that he joined An Garda Síochána, the Irish police force.
“It inspired him to go into the guards and try and get justice for other people who may be in the same situation,” Jack explained. The attackers were never caught, but Dave’s choice to become a police officer shows how they both turn bad into good.
Jack calls Dave the “best thing that’s ever happened to me.” These words might seem simple, but they hold deep truth for the couple.
As a personal trainer, Dave gets the demands of sports life. He helps Jack stay focused when things get too much. Their match works so well because they both know what matters.
Their love story began after the Tokyo Olympics. Jack felt “a little bit lost” at that time. Dave brought calm to his life, though this wasn’t the plan at first.
“I got all these expectations of going out, playing the field and everything, and there I am now, three-and-a-half years into a relationship,” Jack shared with a laugh. What started as casual turned into something real and lasting.
Supporting Each Other Through Sport and Life
Does having a partner help with Olympic stress? For Jack, the answer is yes. Dave was right there in Paris, cheering for Jack during the 2024 Olympics.
“I love being an Olympian and stuff like that, but I never thought I’d have this type of relationship,” Jack said in an earlier chat. He thanks Dave for getting the ups and downs of an athlete’s life.
After the Dancing With The Stars wrap party, Dave got down on one knee. Jack took home something better than a trophy that night. He got a promise of love for life.
We can all learn from how their love grows despite life’s tests. In sports, some win medals. In love, these two win at life.
Congratulations to the happy couple on their engagement and future together!
