The Perfect 10 welcomes one of Australia’s most admired Olympians, Mariafe Artacho del Solar.
A three-time Olympian and a medallist on the World’s biggest stage, Mariafe takes us inside the unforgettable journey that saw her and Taliqua Clancy claim silver in Tokyo, falling only to what she describes as the “perfect performance” from the United States in the gold medal match. She also reflects on Paris, where Australia finished fourth after an epic three-set battle with Brazil—a contest Mariafe ranks among the greatest matches of her career.
Born in Lima, Mariafe arrived in Sydney with her mum as an 11-year-old, unable to speak English, she quickly found her place through sport.
It didn’t take long for the volleyball world to notice. After filling in alongside her older brother at a tournament at Manly, the teenage prodigy earned selection in Australia’s Under-19 team for the World Junior Championships—at just 13 years of age.
Her rise wasn’t without obstacles. Mariafe was told she was too short to succeed at the highest level, but her talent, determination and competitive spirit proved impossible to ignore.
In this inspiring conversation, Mariafe also reveals the power of dreaming big. As a little girl, she wrote down every goal she hoped to achieve, turning them into posters. Today, she believes those dreams became reality because she dared to imagine them first.
Admired throughout Australia and especially cherished within the Latino-Australian community, Mariafe has become an icon well beyond the volleyball court. With her love of fashion, effortless elegance and authentic personality, she’s built a loyal following on social media while remaining grounded and deeply connected to her family.
Could there be one more Olympic chapter in 2028 Summer Olympics… or even a home Games in 2032, Mariafe hasn’t closed the door. But for now, her greatest joy isn’t measured in medals.
It’s her young son, Luka.
This is a conversation about resilience, belief, family, and chasing your dreams – from Peru to the Olympic podium.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download