Speedster Liz Clay is the new queen of Australian hurdling

Meet the new queen of Australian athletics. Liz Clay, who has the same laser-like focus as Sally Pearson, has her eyes locked on Tokyo.

Liz Clay has her eyes locked on Tokyo. Picture: AAP Images

She is the new queen of Australian hurdling and Liz Clay possesses the same passion, determination and laser-like focus that drove Sally Pearson to Olympic gold.

That is the opinion of Clay’s coach Sharon Hannan, the one-time mentor to Pearson who is now relishing the task of sculpting the Gold Coast-based late bloomer into a world-class performer at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Clay, who turns 26 next month, is in the form of her career, ripping up her rivals in the 100m hurdles, headlined by her personal best 12.72sec in Canberra six weeks ago which doubled as a Tokyo qualifier.

It was a performance that put Clay in rarefied territory. She is Australia’s second fastest female in 100m hurdling history. Only Pearson, with her sizzling 12.28sec to take gold at the Daegu World Championships in 2011, is quicker.

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Liz Clay is the next big thing of Australian hurdling. Picture: AAP Images

Clay rammed home her domestic dominance last Saturday night, winning the Queensland Track Classic in 12.98sec despite clattering one hurdle and shaving two others en route to victory.

If anyone can spot hurdling brilliance, it is Hannan. She helped take Pearson to the summit, including gold at the 2012 London Games, and says while Clay lacks Sally’s raw speed, she shares the work ethic to be an Olympic finalist.

“Liz is so dedicated to the cause,” said Hannan as Clay prepares for the national championships starting Monday week in Sydney.

“She works so hard. She works for her physio and her coaches. Liz has missed out on a few (Australian) teams and had her disappointments but this will not be her last Olympics.

“The reality is Liz is slower across the ground than Sally ever was. Sally had unbelievable speed. Her PB was 11.14sec (in the 100m sprint) and Liz’s 100m PB (11.93sec) is a long way off that.

“But her assets are her strength and absolute knowledge of her own body and the science behind it.

“The Olympics are a funny thing. You can win gold with 12.7sec or 12.3sec. Based on historical times, I think Liz has the ability to make an Olympic final.”

Liz Clay is in the best form of her career. Picture: AAP Images

Clay admits she was “annoyed” by her technically flawed triumph last week, but Hannan warned the former ballet dancer could blitz her rivals and run even faster at the upcoming nationals.

“Liz is undefeated this year. If she has a clean race, she will be dangerous,” Hannan said.

“She is having a few little problems. (Last) Saturday wasn’t a particularly good run. Her speed isn’t matching her eyeballs at the moment. The hurdles are coming at her faster than ever before and she isn’t making the super-fine adjustments in between.

“But it is a good problem to have and the fact she stayed out in front and won shows her toughness.

“I know people are surprised by Liz’s improvement but it’s not a surprise to me.

“Running 12.40sec might be a journey too far but if Liz stays on the same trajectory that she is on and avoids injury, I believe in an Olympic final she could run 12.5, certainly 12.6-low … absolutely.”