ANANG TO GO BANG | NAA HEADED FOR SYDNEY TRACK CLASSIC

In 11.20-seconds into a stubborn headwind, Naa Anang quashed any doubts that her career was in the balance. From the sand to the blue riband, the former long jumper is within reach of becoming the fastest Australian woman in history, despite racing with stress fractures in both shins.

Once Anang hit top speed at Melbourne’s Maurie Plant Meet, the race was all but over. The 27-year-old bolted violently through the finish to make it two wins from two starts at the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Summer of Athletics, but her biggest challenge yet awaits in Sydney on March 11 in the form of Zoe Hobbs.

The New Zealand national record holder reached the semi-finals of last year’s World Championships before finishing sixth at the Commonwealth Games, but having clocked a scorching 10.89 (+3.6) at this week’s New Zealand Championships – the Trans-Tasman rivals are set to match motors down the straight at Sydney Olympic Park.

Speaking after stunning the crowd in Melbourne, Anang bought into the instant belief that she is capable of chasing down Melissa Breen’s national record of 11.11 from 2014 – planning to do so sooner rather than later:

“I’m so stoked, I surprised myself in Adelaide because I didn’t really think I was in that shape this early. I normally open up and get better, so I was pretty expectant for tonight. I was also very nervous because I put a lot of pressure on myself. I am glad I could back myself and come through.

“I am hoping to get that individual World Champs qualifier [11.08]. That would be really awesome to go for, so I’m just going to keep ticking away at that and hopefully secure my spot before nationals.”

Becoming the first athlete to win both the 100m and long jump Australian titles in 70 years at the 2019 Nationals, Anang has since been forced to shift her focus purely to sprinting – returning to the green and gold for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in both the 100m and 4x100m relay.

“I have had a long-term injury, so I have stress fractures still in both of my shins and had that for the last three years. It’s just meant that training has had to be super modified. This off-season was perhaps the first time in a long time that I actually was able to train every day consistently,” Anang said.

“That’s what I put it down to, and my coach Gary [Bourne] pushing me to run further distances than I would like, but it is working out.”

The transition is a testament to both her class and patience, with Anang enduring a three year spell between personal bests which was shattered en route to silver at the 2022 Oceania Championships – that mark of 11.29 lasting just two races in 2023.

Sitting fifth on the Australian all-time list in the long jump with 6.81m, Anang’s recent run of 11.20 moves her to sixth in the 100m – the fastest time ever by an Australian woman into a headwind (-1.4). With leeway on the wind gauge and the progress with each appearance, Anang is touted to deliver the breakthrough that resets the benchmark for Australian sprinters both current and future.  

The Women’s 100m at the Sydney Track Classic will also feature the likes of Ella Connolly, Torrie Lewis, Bree Masters, Hana Basic and Japan’s Arisa Kimishima.

By Lachie Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 6/3/2023