De Rozario aims to emulate career of coach Sauvage

Wheelchair racer Madison de Rozario grew up watching Louise Sauvage immortalise herself as an Australian sporting legend - and 20 years on from when Sauvage lit the Sydney 2000 Paralympic cauldron, the pair are working in unison to cement de Rozario’s status as Australia’s next Paralympic hero. 

Their first encounter at carnival in Perth had the then 12-year-old de Rozario star-struck. 

“I remember meeting her and basically fangirling,” she said. 

A conversation between Sauvage and de Rozario’s parents resulted in the young talent attending her first ever international level competition, held on home soil in Australia. 

“It was there that I fell in love with the sport and shortly after that Lou got in touch and we started working together from 2008,” she said. 

With idol-turned-coach in her corner, De Rozario quickly started to thrive and secured her maiden Paralympic berth at only 14 years of age - Beijing awaited.  

The 2008 Paralympic Games were an experience that De Rozario recounts vividly, laughing about how she was attached to Sauvage at the hip for its entire duration. 

“I was so overwhelmed in the village,” she said. 

“I can’t think of a better person to have had by my side both then and now.” 

Fast-forward 12-years and the bond between the duo has only grown stronger and the fruits of their labour have resulted in de Rozario claiming three Paralympic silver medals and 10 World Championship medals.  

“Lou has an amazing ability to put aside how she would do something and really work with what you have to offer as an athlete,” she said. 

The reigning women’s 800m T54 world champion says that Sauvage has helped her answer one pivotal question. 

“How do I as a non-competitive person navigate this world where it is your job to be better than the next person?” she said.

“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself and if it’s good enough to be the best in the world then that’s an added bonus.” 

But de Rozario admits that her coach’s dogged mindset has played a big role in her success. 

“Lou is just this fiery, competitive, driven woman who wanted to win at all costs and that’s why she did win,” she said. 

“If I think about all my goals in sport, they are all things Lou has already achieved in her career.” 

The pair’s bond has grown even stronger with de Rozario stepping up to the marathon - Sauvage’s specialty - after Rio 2016.

“So much of longer distance racing is all about the tactics and strategy which we both love,” she said. 

“What Lou can offer from having done it herself and from knowing me and how I am going to cope with it all is amazing.” 

De Rozario will be looking to continue her rampaging form in the Paralympic world come Tokyo in 2021, and thanks to the guidance of Sauvage - it is more than likely she will. 

By Lachlan Moorhouse
Posted: 23/12/2020