Madison de Rozario Sets New Junior Mark
Just weeks shy of a major back operation that will see her out of action for a year, WAIS IASP athlete Madison De Rozario has smashed the junior record at the Oz Day 10km wheelchair road race in Sydney.
The 15 year-old Western Australian clocked a brilliant time of 26:33mins to blitz the mark set by Canada’s Jessica Matassa set five years previously.
De Rozario has a huge future in the sport and her feat was made more symbolic after racing against Louise Sauvage, who was competing in the event for the first time in six years.
De Rozario however, showed that she can already match it with the best, finishing fifth in the overall standings with Australian Chrisite Dawes taking line honours ahead of the legendary Sauvage.
The Oz Day race – celebrating its 20th anniversary – produced a classic around the picturesque settings of The Rocks District with 10 time winner Sauvage leading with just 15m to go before three time Paralympian Dawes snuck past for her maiden Oz Day win.
Dawes couldn’t hide her elation when talking to the official Paralympic website and was pleased to finally secure a win after so many near misses.
“I’m so happy, it’s great feeling,” said Dawes. “It’s my 16th year in this event, my whole family is here from all around the place so it’s great to win it today with everyone here watching me.”
Sauvage who was making her first competitive return since retirement in 2004 was delighted to produce a personal best time and to finish on the podium.
“I was just happy to be in the mix, I really wasn’t sure whether I would be,” Sauvage said. “I’m just really happy, it felt great to do so well and it was great to see the Australians win both the men’s and women’s events.”
It is believed De Rozario can emulate both champions, having already collected a Paralympic silver medal in Beijing in 2008, De Rozario also claimed wins at the Sydney Skins in both the 100m and 1500m events at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre.
De Rozario will compete in Perth in the Super Series at Perry Lakes this Sunday in her final competitive action before surgery. WAIS wishes Madison all the best and a speedy rehab.