A second chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games will fuel Naa Anang's return to the athletics track, as the sprinter races the clock to recover from a stress fracture.
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The Brisbane native has been diligently working her way back from a shin injury and is eyeing an Olympics berth in the 100-metres sprint.
Anang emerged on the national stage in long jump but took on the track event last season, with the 25-year-old saying the move from one to three events was a bit of a shock to her body.
The injury has kept her out of action for more than a year, but she found a silver lining in the postponement of the 2020 Games as it gives her a second chance to qualify.
"It's something I don't take for granted. It's given me extra time to work on my injury and get better," Anang said.
"[The injury] was more a setback for my long jump, but they were pretty confident I could get back in time for sprinting. It's progressing really well so I can't really complain."
Anang has been diligently working her way back onto the track and will likely return to competitions in February to ramp up her bid to secure Olympics qualification for the first time.
Qualifying for the track event would also secure Anang a spot on the Australian relay team, which is currently ranked world No.13.
She was part of the quartet that broke an almost two-decade old Australian record in Yokohama in 2019, with Sally Pearson, Maddie Coates, Riley Day and Anang crossing the line in a blistering 43.19 seconds.
The team was training at the AIS in December as part of an Athletics Australia relay camp, with Anang joined by the likes of Day and former beach sprinting world champion Bree Masters.
"It's really awesome to have the opportunity to qualify in a different event and still achieve that dream," Anang said.
"[The injury] was quite disheartening at first, but you've just got to give it your best. If you don't make it, it sucks but it's life.
"I know I've done everything that I can to get back. I can't really ask much more of myself.
"I need to get back to sprinting consistently and doing that a high level. Hopefully when I'm back at that stage I can qualify for the 100-metres and that will get me on the team.
"It'll be my first Olympics, so it'll be really exciting to go for something as fun as relay and have the girls there as support. It's an amazing opportunity to have on your first Olympics that's for sure."
Anang is a three-time national champion and became the first woman to win the 100-metres/long jump double at the 2019 event, running a personal best of 11.32 seconds.
She's looking to compete at the 2021 national championships at Sydney Olympic Park in March.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
