- Became famous as the ‘Dancing Hurdler’ thanks to his warm-up routine
- Jiggling dance has been viewed more than 27 million times
- Made a big statement ahead of her second Olympic Games
Australian hurdler Michelle Jenneke has shown she is still a force in the athletics world with a huge performance ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Jenneke won silver at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics and the 2016 Australian Athletics Championships, qualifying for the Rio Olympics.
She also won hearts around the world with her signature ‘jiggling’ warm-up dance at the 2012 World Junior Championships.
One version of the video has been viewed 27 million times on YouTube and made headlines worldwide.
She has also had a successful modelling career, including a major sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola and an appearance on Top Gear.
She is currently pursuing a BA in Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Sydney and is participating on a scholarship to The University of Sydney Athletics Club. Despite her fame and diverse interests, her greatest passion remains athletics.
Now, as a warning to the rest of the field, the star has set her best time ever in the 100m hurdles, just weeks before the Games in Paris.
Michelle Jenneke has achieved a personal record at the age of 31 ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris
Jenneke has a groundswell of Australian support behind her for the Paris Olympics
‘PB with this difference!!! 12.65 at the FBK Games [World Athletics event in the Netherlands] last night for the fastest race of my life,” she posted on Instagram with a love-struck eyes emoji.
‘Many thanks to the great crowd who cheered us on despite the rainy weather.’
It was a great result for Jenneke, who therefore did not qualify for the Tokyo Games.
The 31-year-old made a comeback in 2023, securing a spot in the 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She qualified with a fast 12.77, beating compatriots Celeste Mucci and Hannah Jones.
She secured a ticket to Paris with an impressive time of 12.88 seconds at the Australian National Championships in April.
Her latest time makes her the second-fastest Australian hurdler ever, after Sally Pearson, whose 12.28 set in 2011 is still the national record.
And now she can count on a wave of new support, with Australians backing her all the way since the stunning result was announced.
“Keep doing your best! One day your best will be the best in the world. Inspire people to do their personal best, better than your best that day,” one fan posted.
“It’s going faster and faster,” added another.