Aussie mannequin turned Commonwealth Games star performs trademark ‘jiggling’ dance earlier than races

The Australian athlete swapped modelling for hurdles and will compete at her final Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Michelle Jenneke will perform her pre-race ‘jiggle’ dance for the final time at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The Australian athlete will compete in the 100-metre hurdles on Thursday in the same city she made her Games debut at 12 years ago. Jenneke, who used to be a model, is famous for her unusual tradition that was first spotted at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona.

The 33-year-old has said that the dance – which does not define her – is used to “put her in a good physical and mental space.” The athlete bounces from side to side with a grin on her face and her hands on her hips. She then wiggles her quad muscle and shakes out any nerves before setting up for the hurdles.

Jenneke received criticism for her eye-catching dance and hit back at the backlash during the 2016 Rio Olympics. She said: “People can be very quick to build you up and then cut you down, but they don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes… a range of factors go on that affect performance.

“People think that by doing my dance I’m trying to draw attention to myself. I’m not.”

Jenneke has fought off setback after setback in recent years, including major injuries and the death of her beloved mum. The hurdle star was competing in the 100m heats at the 2024 Olympics in Paris when her right hamstring ripped off the bone and travelled 13cm up her leg.

She was in a knee brace for six weeks and lost five kilograms of muscle to the leg, prompting a recovery process. Recalling the injury to Nine.com.au, the athlete said: “I had a stick for a leg, which I have never had in my entire life.”

However, it was the death of her mum Nicky that truly rocked Jenneke’s world. In 2025, the travelling star texted her parents to let them know she would be coming to Sydney to visit – and one phone call from dad Randal changed her world forever.

Looking back on the tragic moment, Jenneke said: “She had been sick for a number of years. So in some regards it wasn’t really sudden; her health had been declining. But we didn’t think it was going to happen as soon as it did.”

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When asked if her mum was a fan of the ‘jiggle’, Jenneke added: “Very much so!” Recalling her mum’s influence, the athlete explained: “She was just such a larger-than-life character.

“So many people in athletics knew her well because she was this big beam of energy – always so happy, positive and encouraging, and not only to me but to so many other athletes. She was a real character – a little bit crazy!

“We had a really good relationship, and she was always my number one supporter.”

Reflecting on what is set to be her final Commonwealth Games, Jenneke admitted she is hoping fans remember her for the right reasons. The 33-year-old said: “I’d like people to think that I was a good, resilient athlete who knew how to have some fun with it.”