Comm Games wheelchair marathon winner to return to Gold Coast

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Madison de Rozario will return to the Gold Coast next weekend.

The 24-year-old with the golden smile will attempt to back-up her win in the T54 marathon with victory in the Gold Coast Wheelchair Marathon, next Sunday 1 July.

“I’m looking forward to racing on the Gold Coast course again which holds such good memories for me,” de Rozario said.

“The crowd that supported us along the course at the Commonwealth Games was fantastic, they knew all the athletes by name, so hopefully it will be another big crowd next Sunday,” she added.

Coached by Australian para sport pioneer and former GC Wheelchair Marathon winner Louise Sauvage, de Rozario followed up her Comm Games gold in April with a win at the prestigious London Marathon.

“My London Marathon win was a huge surprise with five of us in a sprint finish to the line.”

i look like i’m just really pleased to be here.

A post shared by Madison de Rozario (@madison.____) on Apr 14, 2018 at 10:39pm PDT

Trying to stop de Rozario from claiming back-to-back wins will be Comm Games silver medal winner Eliza Ault-Connell and defending Gold Coast champion Sara Tait.

“I’m really excited to return this year,” Labrador local Tait said. “This course and the atmosphere is amazing so I’m really looking forward to it.”

The 19-year-old has focused on the para triathlon since 2014 and placed sixth in that event at the Commonwealth Games.

“Even though we are both pursuing different sports, Madi and I have known each other for a very long time, she is an amazing athlete and I’m very excited to race her.”

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life, flying the Aussie flag high as I got to compete on home turf at the Commonwealth Games! I would like to thank everyone who came down to support me yesterday for my race, you guys were incredible! I could hear you cheering me on the whole way around the track, which made such a difference to me! A little bit bittersweet as I didn’t achieve a medal, but I did manage to get a PB which is what I came to do. The race was tough and the competition was tougher so I would also like to congratulate @jade_jones11 on her Gold medal @etapp1 for Silver and @laurenparker2127 on Bronze! You guys are legends! Time for a little bit of R & R then getting back into it better and stronger for next time with my amazing support and coach @teamtrextriathlon watch out world, I’m coming! ???? ? @kristentaitofficial #aussieaussieaussie #1cheersquad #unleashed #teamaus #para #triathlete #gc2018 #commonwealthgames2018

A post shared by Sara-Ashlee Tait (@sara_ashlee.tait) on Apr 7, 2018 at 9:11pm PDT

The men’s race will also be packed with outstanding athletes, including returning champion Richard Colman who will be striving to become the sixth man to win a second wheelchair marathon on the Gold Coast.

The 33-year-old Victorian is an accomplished wheelchair athlete on the track having represented Australia at four Paralympic Games with golds in the 800m in 2004 and 2012.

Colman’s main rivals appear to be rising Australian talent Jake Lappin and US wheelchair star Josh George.