Since Dio/Cloud and Dyne/Barret (the two responses which seem most likely) have already been suggested, I'll propose that the answer is Cid and Shera. Riches could refer to his position as a great pilot, and his eminence at becoming, potentially, the first person in space. He would have been a champion at the moment of his seeming triumph, as the rocket prepared for launch--except that Shera was still making adjustments. Had he gone through with the launch, Shera would have been killed. Thus, he ended it, effectively failing. Thus, he gave away his dream to Shera.