44 | AustrAliAn triAthlete
#Inspo
Meet Madi Roberts, the pocket-rocket originally from Port Macquarie,
who is taking the half iron distance world by storm. At only 23-years-old Madi has
already accomplished more than some of us could ever dream of and has a number
of World Championship Age group titles to her name.
Australian triathlete’s Margaret Mielczarek chats with the rising young gun about
her start in the sport, her goals to turn pro, the importance of female friendship
and support, her advice to other athletes and more.
photogrAphy by FInIsherpIxnumerous times a week and swim club on
Friday nights with my older sister. I did
ballet at age five, but this soon changed to
Martial Arts because I had too much of an
aggressive personality and needed to let
off some steam. I also participated in
netball, surf lifesaving, touch football, and
acrobatics. I discovered my love for
endurance running at age 12. What drew
me to running was the freedom, simplicity,
challenge and sense of achievement.
I have always been an individual soul and
running allowed me to just be in my ownAustralian Triathlete (AT): To start,
tell us a bit about yourself – who is
Madi Roberts?
Madi Roberts (MR): I am 23 years old
and live on the Gold Coast. I am a Griffith
University graduate with a Bachelor of
Sport Management and Masters in
Marketing. I have been involved in triathlon
from the age of 13. I began competing in
Ironman 70.3 events from the age of 18.
I have competed in 16 Ironman 70.3s,
taking out the overall female win at
Ironman 70.3 Cairns, New Zealand and
Port Macquarie in the past year. I was 2017
Olympic Distance World Champion in
Rotterdam, Netherlands and I will
compete at Ironman 70.3 World
Championships this year in South Africa.AT: What is your background in sport?
Have you always been active?
MR: I was brought into the sporting world
from a young age when I started
swimming lessons from the age of three.
As I got older, I attended swim squadA STAR ON
THE RISE