Taliqua Clancy

Biography

Taliqua Clancy, hailing from rural Queensland, found her Olympic inspiration from Cathy Freeman's unforgettable win at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. At the young age of 15, she made the pivotal decision to switch from netball to beach volleyball, accepting a scholarship from the Queensland Academy of Sport. By 17, she was already making waves in the Australian Volleyball program, moving to Adelaide to pursue her burgeoning career.

Clancy's rise in the sport was meteoric. She and her then-partner Louise Bawden qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics, and Taliqua made history by becoming the first Indigenous Australian to compete in Olympic Beach Volleyball. The duo finished a commendable fifth after a fiercely contested battle against seasoned American players.

The next chapter of her career began in 2017 with Mariafe Artacho del Solar. The pair quickly became a formidable team, clinching multiple podium finishes. At the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, they won silver, igniting further ambitions.

Tokyo 2020 marked another milestone as Clancy and Artacho del Solar captured Olympic silver, Australia's first in beach volleyball since 2000. Their journey through the tournament was characterized by nail-biting matches and exceptional teamwork, culminating in a memorable final against the USA.

Beyond the court, Taliqua is passionate about giving back. She actively promotes sport and education among Indigenous youth, visiting communities to share her story and inspire the next generation. Her dedication to her sport and her community truly makes her a standout athlete and role model.