A Miami woman experienced a moment of double achievement recently, completing her first triathlon and getting engaged all in one day. Cindy Alghawi, 28, participated in the BillBone Olympic Triathlon held in West Palm Beach, Florida, on April 12. The event challenged her with a 400-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride, and a 5-kilometre run. Alghawi finished the race with an impressive official time of 1:35:34.94.
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As she crossed the finish line, her family and her steadfast boyfriend, Hossam Sayegh, were there to greet her with cheers. In the midst of her post-race exhilaration, Alghawi described the moment as surreal, stating, “I was feeling accomplished. I was in my own world. I see family, and it was super exhilarating.” What she did not expect, however, was Sayegh’s proposal that was waiting just moments away.
Sayegh, a 29-year-old research scientist, had a romantic surprise planned for Alghawi. He approached her with an artificial rose and instructed her to open its petals. To her astonishment, nestled within was a stunning diamond ring. “He gets on his knee and asks to marry me,” shared Alghawi, who is a communications specialist with Miami Inter Air Inc. Reflecting on the surprise, she added, “It was such an amazing feeling.”
Following the proposal, Alghawi said “yes,” and the couple was soon celebrating their engagement among fellow triathletes and notable Olympians, including Kirsten Kasper and Kevin McDowell. Kasper, who represented Team USA in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, and McDowell, a silver medalist in the Mixed Relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, added a special touch to the day’s festivities.
Alghawi explained that her decision to take on the triathlon was part of a larger personal transformation. “I knew I had to change something,” she revealed, highlighting her desire to challenge herself. Taking the plunge into an athletic endeavour without prior experience, she ambitiously signed up for the event with the intent to grow.
The couple, originally from Lebanon, met as students at Florida International University four years ago. Sayegh was impressed by Alghawi’s dedication to her training and saw the triathlon as the perfect opportunity to propose. While planning the surprise, he kept the details closely guarded, revealing only to Alghawi’s parents his intentions to pop the question. “I didn’t tell anyone around us at the finish line — only her parents knew,” he explained. This secrecy ensured that Alghawi was completely taken by surprise when the moment arrived.
Looking ahead, Alghawi and Sayegh are already making plans for their future together, with their wedding set for next year. After such a transformative day filled with triumph and love, the couple will undoubtedly cherish their memories of the triathlon and the proposal for years to come.
The melding of sport and romance has undoubtedly added a unique twist to their relationship, and as they embark on this new chapter together, their story serves as an inspiring reminder of the unexpected joys that life can bring. As Alghawi continues to reflect on her accomplishments, both in sport and love, she remains excited for what the future holds.