Sophie Delezio has spoken about her love for the sport of rowing as she sets her sights set on competing at the 2020 Paralympics.
Brave burns survivor Sophie, 13, has previously revealed how she has been training to be a champion rower, now though she’s got her sights set on the 2020 Paralympics.
“The Paralympics is my dream,’’ Sophie told The Daily Telegraph this week .
Sophie will first compete at several upcoming high school competitions before the Australian Nationals in March.
Speaking on Nine’s Today Show, Sophie explained how she first came to discover the sport of rowing.
“Well my swimming career had to take a break for a bit because my injuries and operations came in between. So I took a break for a bit but I needed to keep fit with some other sport,” Sophie said.
“I first started off as a cox for my school and then I joined Balmain rowing.”
Sophie can’t get enough of her favourite sport of rowing.
As a baby Sophie suffered third-degree burns to 85 per cent of her body after a car slammed into her Sydney childcare centre in 2003, only to be struck again in 2006 at a pedestrian crossing.
Now a teenager, Sophie is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with – and she’s not letting the early 4.30am starts required for rowing training to put her off!
“The morning starts are very early and it sets school back a bit and makes me very tired but yes I do (get used to it).” Sophie told Lisa Wilkinson.
Brave Sophie always smiled through the pain of her injuries when she was younger.
It’s not easy for Sophie, whose injuries can get in the way of her training, but she perseveres nonetheless.
“Well I get shoulder injuries very easily – especially to my right shoulder. So if I get an injury I have to stop rowing for a bit. If my legs get sore or I’ve had an operation, I have to stop rowing for a while.”
“So it’s very hard to work around it, but we’re able to do it.”
One such operation came mid last year when Sophie had a new magnetic ear fitted.
“I love it, and I wear it every day,” Sophie told Woman’s Day at the time.
“But the best thing is I’m able to have pierced ears. That’s something I’ve wanted for a long, long time – I’ve been asking Mum since I was about eight!”
Sophie and her mum on the set of the Today Show
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