•2008 World Short Course Championships: Manchester, United Kingdom                      Semi-finalist in 50m freestyle

•2007 World University Games: Bangkok, Thailand                                                   Australian Women's Team Universiade Captain and Flag bearer. 5th Place finish in 50 freestyle.

•2006 Pan Pacific Championships: Victoria, Canada                                                          6th Place finish, 50 freestyle

•2006 World Short Course Championships: Shanghai, China                                                         Silver Medalist 4 x 100 freestyle relay (heats swimmer), 10th place 50 freestyle

•2004 Olympic Games: Athens, Greece  Finalist in Athens, finishing 6^th place.           Ranked 3^rd in the World in 2004.              Achieved Australian Record for 50 freestyle in the heats of the Olympic Trials.

•2003 World University Games: Daegu, South Korea                                                     Silver Medalist for 50 freestyle. Australian Women's Team Swimming Captain.

•2002 World Short Course Championships: Moscow, Russia                                               Semi-finalist in 50 freestyle.

•2001 World Championships: Fukuoka, Japan                                                     Semi-finalist in 50 freestyle.

•2000 Oceania Championships: Christchurch, New Zealand                                            Gold Medalist for 50 freestyle.                           4 x 100 freestyle relay team member

 

Bio:

             Growing up, Michelle Engelsman moved around the world and experienced many different cultures. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she moved with her family back to Australia, and then onto Holland, England, and Pennsylvania. At age 7 her family moved to upstate New York for 5 years, with the second last year spent living between NY and Boston. School years 8-12 were spent studying in beautiful Switzerland, at the America International School of Zürich (now named ZIS). After being accepted at Kenyon College in Ohio, USA, she had two outstanding years in sports and academia. At the beginning of the second year she underwent major back surgery, yet was able to come back against all odds and won NCAA D3 championships in 50 freestyle 5 months later.

             In May 1999 she left Kenyon to pursue her dream of making the Sydney Olympic team. She trained with Scott Volkers and Stephan Widmer for 1½ years, whilst continuing her studies at the University of Queensland. She earned a 5th place finish at the 2000 Olympic trials.                 

             The experience lit a fire in her than has yet to be diminished.

              She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona, and gained invaluable experience and success in Collegiate swimming at the D1 level in the USA. However she again met with adversity and endured major wrist surgery immediately following World Championships 2001. To further her education she enrolled in an Honours degree  in Chemistry at the University of Sydney, and trained under Brian Sutton and Steve Alderman. After completing her Honours, she was invited to  train alongside Gary Hall Jr. at the Race Club for the months leading into Australian Olympic Trials 2004. Working with Jon Olsen and Andy Deichert created a specialized training environment that enabled her to step up and qualify for the 2004 Olympic team. The time she posted at those trials held her at a ranking of 3rd in the world for 2004. At the Athens Olympics she achieved a 6th place finish in the final of her event, 50 freestyle.

             Since 2004, Michelle has competed at World Short Course Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, and numerous World Cup competitions. She has her sights set on the 2008 Olympic Games. Thus, her amazing journey continues in Sydney at the University of Sydney. She has begun coaching herself and designing her own swimming program. For many years she continued to work with strength coach Paul Haslam at City Gym (East Sydney), and the talented team of massage therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors at Holographic Health and Sports Med. in Drummoyne.

             Michelle retired from professional swimming in April 2008. She was honoured for her 'Services to Swimming in Australia' at the 2008 Swimmer of the Year awards. She completed her Masters in International Studies in October 2008, and is enjoying working for and volunteering at non-profit organisations.