The 2024 Paralympics in August is around the corner, and among the exhilarating and inspiring events on the bill is the wheelchair racing segment. When it comes to wheelchair racing in Australia, you can’t mention this sport without mentioning Madison de Rozario.
We rounded up what you need to know about this inspiring athlete – from her background and records to her views on Paralympic sports.
In this article
Who is wheelchair racing champion, Madison de Rozario?
Madison de Rozario is an Australian wheelchair racer who has made a significant impact on the global stage of Paralympic sport. She was born on October 13, 1993, in Perth, Australia and is of Japanese and Australian heritage.
De Rozario was diagnosed with a rare congenital disorder at birth called hereditary spastic paraplegia, which affects the muscles in her lower body.
Despite facing physical limitations, she discovered her passion for wheelchair racing at a young age. She started out by competing in local events. Her talent and dedication quickly became evident, propelling her onto the national and international stage.
De Rozario has competed in multiple Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships, earning numerous medals and accolades along the way. She’s showcased her exceptional speed and endurance in a variety of wheelchair racing events, including sprints, middle-distance, and marathon races.
What are her wheelchair racing achievements?
Madison de Rozario has achieved numerous notable accomplishments throughout her career as a wheelchair racer. Some of her most significant achievements include:
- Paralympic Medals: De Rozario has won multiple medals at the Paralympic Games. Her notable achievements include:
- Gold medal in the women’s 4 × 400 m T53/T54 relay at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
- Silver medal in the women’s 800m T53 at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
- Bronze medal in the women’s marathon T54 at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
- World Championship Success: De Rozario has excelled at the World Para Athletics Championships, winning medals in various events.
- Gold medals in the women’s 800m T53 and women’s 5000m T54 at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.
- Silver medal in the women’s 1500m T54 at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London.
- Commonwealth Games: De Rozario has represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games, showcasing her talent on the international stage.
- Gold medal in the women’s T54 1500m at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
- Silver medal in the women’s T54 1500m at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
- Marathon Success: De Rozario has achieved success in wheelchair marathon racing, competing in prestigious events around the world.
- Winner of the women’s wheelchair division at the Chicago Marathon in 2019 and 2021.
- Winner of the women’s wheelchair division at the New York City Marathon in 2021.
Advocacy work
Off the track, de Rozario is known for her advocacy work, promoting inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. She uses her platform to raise awareness about disability rights and challenges societal perceptions surrounding disability.
She’s been the Australian Paralympic Committee’s Female Para-Athlete of the Year and the Western Australian Institute of Sport’s Athlete of the Year.
Throughout her career, De Rozario has become not only a decorated athlete but also a role model. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence continue to leave an indelible mark on the world of wheelchair racing and beyond.
Follow her on Instagram for news and updates on her 2024 Paralympic events. Also remember to follow Australia’s official Paralympics Instagram account to catch all the updates and share the love online.
Read up more on the 2024 Paralympics
Get up to date on Team Australia and wheelchair/accessible sport ahead of this year’s Paralympics:
- Paris Paralympics 2024: The Wheelchair Basketball Teams To Watch
- 8 Wheelchair Sports Worth Watching and Playing
- Getting Kids Into Adaptive Sports – What’s Out There?
Insurance for your independence
While Blue Badge Insurance doesn’t cover sporting equipment like wheelchairs for competitive impact sports, we do cover the wheelchair you use daily. Whether it’s custom, manual, or powered we offer a cost-effective wheelchair insurance plan that helps you cover fees for repairs or replacement after an accident.
We also cover a large range of mobility equipment with mobility scooter insurance and car insurance for wheelchair accessible vehicles and converted cars. Find out about getting as much as 25% off disability car insurance if you hold a valid disability parking permit.
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