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Once upon a time a handsome young man in a Warringah Tri suit carrying a small black jewellery box for 21.2km drops to one knee to profess his undying love to his chosen life & training partner. Together everyone achieves more, so with that said, our very own Warringah Tri love story begins… Ange and I always considered Triathlon Club a part of our life. Triathlon for us is more than sport, it’s part of our values, our weekly fun and a life experience. So it was natural for me to propose Ange at the end of Challenge Wanaka. A unique half Iron Man race (70.3 distance) with some unique landscapes, and a memorably unique end moment, my smile will stay forever in my memory as the best finish line ever. Ange and I met around one & a half years ago in Tasmania, when hiking Three Capes Track. And our romantic journey became official after some triathlon racing rendezvous. Coming from France on my side and Guatemala on Ange’s side, we both discovered triathlon Down-under and I became a NSW Technical Official recently. We both train the same times during the week, and we usually share two or three swims per week together. The New Zealand proposal began anxiously by putting the ring in my running shoes in transition when preparing my gear before the race. I carried the ring during the entire run, sweating but smiling. I was sometimes opening the ring box to share this moment with other runners and with the photographers.One & all were cheering me on, “Go Jojo, you will make it!” “It’s gonna be a fabulous moment!” “Please wait for me, I want to see it!” The most momentous part was, we met a local Kiwi the day before the race who offered us some beers at the bar, he said to us, “You two have to get married! This guy knowing nothing about us and what I was planning for the following day. New Zealand was a completely new destination for us, and I wanted a beautiful scenic landscape as the backdrop to my drop. A towering mountain & a turquoise lake was ideal. I could have done it in Cairns in Australia, but I had already finished the full Iron Man there, so I wanted an original experience for such a significant moment. Our triathlon friend Nic participated backstage with a hand-made ring. Designing & presenting me one version of it before the final ring. Our Warringah Triathlon Club is more than just a club. This is the place we met our lifetime friends, and where we share lots of important occasions. I have trust and support with the people I swim, run, cycle with everyday. Due to other life challenges the last 2 years have been difficult for me & the support of Warringah Tri Club & the love of Ange has helped me triumph. A Wedding should happen in 2024, maybe during the Paris Olympic Games for these two loved-up sports addicts. One might start a betting book on which event the nuptials will follow. In friendship & in partnerships those that train together stay together. Warringah Triathlon Club wishes Johan Lequien & Ange Argueta the best of luck in their future endeavours.
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