Michelle is a 23 year old Australian representative sprint hurdler from Sydney, Australia who was born on the 23rd June 1993.
Her personal best of 12.82 is the current State NSW record and ranks her as the second fastest Australian women's 100m Hurdler of all time
Michelle started training for hurdles with her coach Mick Zisti when she was ten and has been with him ever since. As well as athletics, Michelle enjoyed many physical activities and sports as she was growing up. She took dance lessons for about 10 years and played soccer with the boys for twelve years. At school she played representative level European Handball, Futsal Soccer, outdoor soccer and Touch Football.
Michelle became an internet sensation, as the "Dancing Hurdler", after footage of her pre-race warm-up dancing was captured at a 100 metres hurdles heat at the 2012 Junior World Championships in Barcelona and went viral. Currently one version of the video has amassed more than 27 million views on YouTube. The footage has been broadcast on media outlets worldwide.
This season she has gained selection in the Australian Olympic Team to represent Australia at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and she represented Australia at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Portland, Oregon.
Since becoming a recognised sporting personality, Michelle has received many amazing opportunities including, appearing in the 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, appearing on Australia TV's 'A League of Their Own' and at the Sydney Top Gear Festival. She is featured in a World Star Hip Hop Fitness Video.
In 2012 she spent several months in Tanzania in an orphanage school doing volunteer work. In 2013 she was the Ambassador for the City 2 Surf Westpac Life Saving Rescue Helicopter Service, the Run the Hills Charity and the Daniel Berry Campaign. In 2014 Michelle became an ambassador for the NSW Cancer Council and their 'March Charge Campaign'. Michelle has taken on various other roles to help raise funds and awareness for various charities. In 2014 Michelle also released a fitness App called 'Stretch with Michelle Jenneke'
Michelle is currently studying a BA Mechatronic Engineering degree at the University of Sydney and has been competing under a scholarship for The University of Sydney Athletics Club. Despite her recent fame and varied interests, her primary love is still her athletics. She is an active member of her Little Athletics Club, Cherrybrook Athletics, and shares her affection for hurdling through training young athletes in her local area.
Michelle always has the simple goal of working towards new personal bests and enjoying the sport she loves.
2015 Australian Athletics Tour (Melbourne) - Womens 100m Hurdles
2015 Australian Athletics Tour (Canberra)- Womens 100m Hurdles
2015 National Championship Final - Womens 100m Hurdles
2016 National Championship Final - Womens 100m Hurdles
2013 - TV Pick One Interview
2013 - Sports Illustrated Photo Shoot
2015 World Start Hip Hop Video
2012 Chive Video - Boys
2015 League of Their Own TV Appearance - Blooper
2015 League of Their Own TV Appearance - Full video
2013 Cosby Sweaters Interview / Photo Shoot
2014 Top Gear TV Appearance
2013 Nutri-Grain Sports Star Challenge TV Apperance
2012 World Youth Games in Barcelona... "that video!"