MIGHTY MADI ROLLS ON
CHAMPION RACER STEAMS AWAY WITH FOURTH GOLD
champion Madi de Rozario has continued her dominance of wheelchair racing, winning a second Commonwealth title in five days.
After taking out the marathon on Saturday, Australia’s Paralympic superstar won an enthralling battle for gold in the 1500m with her teammate Angela Ballard grabbing second on the line.
De Rozario, who won the marathon and T53 1500m on the Gold Coast four years ago, was forced to counter an attack from Scotland’s bronze medallist Samantha Kinghorn at the top of the home straight.
“It was a cagey race and a bit tricky towards the end there,” De Rozario said after her 3min53.03sec victory.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting and it was definitely surprising but I’m happy to come away with that one.
“I’ve not done a lot of track work and the track is so technical and so you get out of the habits of it. I was trying to come in from the marathon this weekend and I definitely made a few mistakes out there but it all came together and I’m really happy about that.
“My main goal coming off the start line was don’t get stuck in front. That was 1500 of not going to plan.
But no. I think there is a moment in there where you kind of had to commit to the position you’re in and that is what that was.
“It’s definitely a relief. I was warming up and you know, I think the last few days I felt good in the village, kind of sitting there in your room, the body feels good and midway through warm up, I was like no, I can definitely still feel that marathon in my arms.
“So I definitely carried that with me out there today. But it was amazing to bring that one home.”
”De Rozario, 28, forced her way to the front in the opening lap which proved to be a winning move.
“I think I realised
I was going to be out front, maybe a lap in and I was also aware of not giving that up,” she said.
“I think once you are comOLYMPIC mitted to knowing you are taking that you switch your mindset and back yourself to have to be able to do and mentally win it from the front.
“It is a different kind of confidence you have to have in that you kind of second guess yourself in that moment because one mistake and it is all gone and I nearly did make it with Sam (Kinghorn) nearly came around with that last 200 so it was an interesting race.” Earlier Sarah Edmiston added to Australia’s medal haul with a silver medal in the F44 discus throw.
It took a F42 world record throw of 36.56m form Nigeria’s Goodness Chiemerie Nwachukwu to claim gold with Edmiston producing a best effort of 34.96m.
The 46-year-old found herself in a two-horse race with Nwachukwu for gold and started strong, throwing 33.24m in her first attempt, just 1.6m off from Nwachukwu’s world record first throw of 34.84m.
Edmiston continued holding on to second place with an impressive 34.19m throw in her third attempt but suffered a second foul in her fourth attempt.
She inched herself closer towards matching Nwachukwu with a massive fifth attempt, managing 34.96m.
Despite Edmiston’s best efforts, which included a 34.41m throw for her final attempt, she was no match for Nwachukwu, who claimed the gold medal almost from the outset with her two world record throws.
Bronze medal went to Fijian Naibili Vatunisolo who managed a personal best throw of 23.70m.