Mariafe Artacho del Solar

Biography

Mariafe Artacho del Solar was born in Lima, Peru, and migrated to Australia with her mother when she was just eleven. Despite the language barrier, Mariafe quickly found a way to connect with her new surroundings through sports. Picking up where she left off in Peru, she joined a beach volleyball club in Manly, Australia, and her talent was soon unmistakable. By age 18, she was training full-time at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Adelaide, driven by her Olympic dreams.

Mariafe made her international debut for Australia at the U19 World Championships in Poland in 2007 and quickly rose through the ranks. She made her first Olympic appearance in Rio 2016, partnered with Nicole Laird. Though they didn't make it past the preliminary rounds, this was just the beginning. After various partnerships, she teamed up with Taliqua Clancy in 2017, forming a dynamic duo that took the beach volleyball circuit by storm.

With Clancy, Mariafe has climbed numerous podiums, including a significant win at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Women's Championship. Their most impressive feat came during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where they won a silver medal, marking Australia's return to the Olympic podium in beach volleyball after two decades. Their journey through the tournament was nothing short of spectacular, with thrilling victories underscoring their undeniable skill and synergy.

Mariafe’s resilience and determination are awe-inspiring. From overcoming a knee injury that stalled her career for months to pulling off memorable victories, she has shown remarkable strength and dedication. Her story is a testament to chasing dreams against all odds, and she hopes to inspire young athletes back home to believe in their potential and work hard towards their dreams.