Tokyo Paralympics: Gold medallist Madi de Rozario music hit list not what you’d expect

If Madi de Rozario is looking sad before her races that’s a good thing according to the three time Paralympian who has already won a gold medal.

Madison de Rozario is competing in a range of events at the Paralympics, from the 800m to the marathon.

Eye of the Tiger is out. So are We are the Champions and We Will Rock You.

What Madi de Rozario wants playing in her ears before an important heat or race at the Paralympics is very different.

“I do this thing, I listen to the same song on repeat in my headphones,’’ said the wheelchair racer competing at her third Paralympics and who won a special gold medal in the 800m.

“I always find something really sad because I find it really calming.’’

Madison de Rozario is the reigning world 800m champion.

The 27-year-old de Rozario said tracks from Paloma Faith or Lana Del Rey are more her speed when preparing for a race.

“I haven’t fixated on anything just yet,’’ she said.

De Rozario, who is coached by Paralympic great Louise Sauvage, has won multiple world championships titles and Commonwealth Games crowns but a Paralympics gold eluded her until her success in the 800m.

The doll modelled on her.

Madi de Rozario with her look-a-like Barbie doll.

For a self-described control freak, the uncertainty of the last year has been driving de Rozario nuts.

It meant her normal routines were thrown out of whack, she had to make constant last minute changes for repeated lockdowns in Sydney and had almost a two year stretch without international events.

Madison de Rozario with her gold after winning the 100m T47 final race at the IPC World Para Athletics titles in Dubai.

It’s also why de Rozario, who had a neurological disorder which caused inflammation of the spinal cord when she was four, had little idea how she would go in Tokyo until she started competing.

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Originally published as Tokyo Paralympics: Gold medallist Madi de Rozario music hit list not what you’d expect