Commonwealth Games 2022: Michelle Jenneke finishes 5th in 100m hurdles final

Michelle Jenneke’s fifth in the 100m hurdles final is as good as a gold medal after the viral sprint star revealed a debilitating injury grounded her for eight months before the Commonwealth Games.

Michelle Jenneke. Picture: Michael Klein

On paper fifth place mightn’t be the result she wanted but Michelle Jenneke couldn’t be happier about her career resurrection.

Australia’s dancing hurdler produced another fast time in a hot field which she says is more important than where she finished in the Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles final.

Jenneke ran 12.68sec behind world record holder Tobi Amusan who, as expected, smashed the Games record clocking 12.30sec.

History says Jenneke would have possibly won or definitely medalled at previous Commonwealth Games with that performance.

“That is by far the fastest race that has ever been at a Commonwealth Games,” she said. “The previous Games record was 12.65 and that was just absolutely obliterated.

Michelle Jenneke clocked 12.68 seconds in the final of the 100m hurdles. Picture: Michael Klein

“So it’s like fifth at the Commonwealth Games probably doesn’t sound that impressive but in that field I tell you what it really is because that was red-hot, all the girls are absolutely incredible.

“(My time) would have won or come second at most Games but it shows the depth of the field here. I much prefer that, it’s always nice to come away with a medal but to be out here performing at my best, I’m really happy with it.”

This was Jenneke’s third Commonwealth Games final, she finished fourth four years ago on the Gold Coast.

The 29-year-old said she was surprised with her level of racing at last month’s world championships - where she set a new personal best of 12.66sec - and in Birmingham where she ran a wind-assisted 12.63sec in the heat.

Nigeria's Tobi Amusan clears the hurdle with Michelle Jenneke just behind. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

This had come off two years of injury with a foot problem last year resulting in her not being able to hurdle for eight months. There was even a time when she couldn’t walk because of the pain.

“Honestly I have surprised myself a little bit at how consistently fast I have been able to run,” she said. “I didn’t really have much of an off-season, I only started back hurdling in December and had eight months off hurdles before that.

“So I am pretty much in a bit of disbelief at how well I have been able to run considering the preparation I have been able to have and I am just really excited to go home, put in a block of training and run faster next season.”

Australia’s other finalist, Melbourne’s Celeste Mucci, finished seventh in 13.03sec.

In the men’s 400m final, Steve Solomon struggled to get into the race finishing seventh in 46.22sec.

Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga ran an incredible final 50m from lane eight to win the gold medal in a personal best 44.66sec.

‘I’M IN THE SHAPE OF MY LIFE’

Michelle Jenneke has bounced, danced and jiggled her way into her third Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles final.

With her trademark pre-race routine in full rotation at Alexander Stadium, Jenneke produced one of the best races of her career to run a wind-affected 12.63sec.

It was three hundredths of a second faster than her personal best which she set at last month’s world championships in Eugene but with an illegal wind of 2.4 mph (2.0 is the legal mark).

“It doesn’t count as a legal time but, that’s the fastest I’ve ever covered a 100m over hurdles so really stoked,” a beaming Jenneke said.

“I felt really good in warm up, my coach (Gary Bourne) was saying I look a little bit better than a few weeks ago which is pretty incredible.

“I think that I struggled a little bit with the travel. After my race at Eugene I was on a bus at 3am to go to Portland to travel over here so it has taken a little while for the body to feel OK again.

Michelle Jenneke has clocked a time of 12.3 seconds to qualify second fastest for the 100m hurdles final. Picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

“I don’t feel like I really ran through the end all that well so hopefully I have got a little bit more to give in the final in a couple of days.”

Jenneke says she isn’t intimidated by new world record holder Tobi Amusan who she finished behind in the heat with the Nigerian easily the quickest qualifier in 12.40sec.

“She is incredible. I am one of those people, I don’t want an easy heat, I want to be racing the best. I think that is how I get the best out of myself which I think I proved today by running that time,” she said.

“I am really looking forward to racing her again in the final. If I am honest I am not someone who as a young athlete at my first champs got really intimidated by anyone.

“For me when I go out there I am just trying to put my best foot forward and they are trying to do the same thing and if they beat me they beat me.

Jenneke was in impressive form in her 100m heat. Picture: Michael Klein

“As long as I am doing my best that is all I care about, I am not too focused on what other athletes are doing except for using them to get fast times.”

Jenneke, 29, finished fourth at the 2018 Gold Commonwealth Games and is hoping her burst of career form can get her into the medals.

Jenneke is a medal contender in the 100m hurdle final. Picture: Ben Stansall / AFP

“I’m in the shape of my life and it’s just really exciting. I still feel I’ve got a little more in the tank but this is a very strong field,” she said.

I didn’t actually look at who showed up today but on the start list there were five of the eight who were in the world champs final so it’s a very strong field here.

“I don’t know if I will be quite good enough for a medal but hopefully I can run a personal best and see where that puts me.”

Melbourne’s Celeste Mucci also made it through to the final after finishing third in her heat, equalling her personal best time of 12.96sec.

Originally published as Commonwealth Games 2022: Michelle Jenneke finishes 5th in 100m hurdles final