Michelle Jenneke and Brianna Beahan qualify for the 100m hurdles final at the Commonwealth Games

MICHELLE Jenneke has produced her best time in more than a year to make the final of the 100m hurdles with fellow Aussie Brianna Beahan also qualifying.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA — APRIL 12: Michelle Jenneke of Australia reacts after she competes in the Women's 100 metres hurdles heats during athletics on day eight of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Carrara Stadium on April 12, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

IT’S not like Michelle Jenneke to miss an opportunity to shine in the spotlight and the dancing hurdler delivered in the absence of Sally Pearson.

Jenneke is through to the final of 100m hurdles after an impressive heat run which saw her break 13 seconds for the first time in more than a year.

There had been a suggestion the trademark pre-race jiggling dance routine would be toned down but there was still a fair bit of jumping around on the blocks.

Michelle in action during the 100m hurdles heat.

Michelle Jenneke broke 13 seconds for the first time in a yea.

The modified version certainly worked with Jenneke getting an excellent start and while she tired late to finish fourth her time of 12.99 sec easily got her through to the final.

She’ll be joined there by Perth’s Brianna Beahan who produced an equal personal best of 13.02 sec in the opening heat.

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The withdrawal of Pearson, the reigning world champion, has robbed the event of a lot of its excitement although 2015 world champion Jamaica’s Danielle Williams looked impressive winning her heat in 12.69 sec.

Jenneke, 24, has battled to deliver on the big stage and was run out in the heats at the 2016 Rio Olympics when she was one of the faces of the Games.

Michelle Jenneke after winning through to the final of the 100m hurdles.

“That’s the fastest I have run at a major championships,” Jenneke said. “It’s been about a year since I have broken 13.

“I knew I had to run fast because it was a fast heat and I’m pretty happy I got through unscathed.

Michelle Jenneke says she will be pushing for a PB in the final.

“It’s definitely the best I have run for a little while and I feel like I’m in the shape of my life so I’ll be pushing for a PB in the final.”

Jenneke finished fifth in the 2014 Commonwealth Games final in Glasgow behind Pearson.

Beahan, 26, has been getting mentored by Pearson over recent days with the team captain on hand to help out despite being forced to pull out of the competition because of an Achilles injury.

Brianna Beahan is also through to the final of the hurdles.

Australia will have three representatives in the men’s discus final with Matt Denny, the silver medallist in the hammer throw on the opening day, showing his versatility by qualifying with a season’s best throw of 64.67m.

Veteran Benn Harradine, who is retiring after the Games, progressed through with a throw of 61.64m as did Queensland’s Mitchell Cooper (59.68m).

Originally published as Michelle Jenneke and Brianna Beahan qualify for the 100m hurdles final at the Commonwealth Games