Hey there, friends! Imagine this: You’re at the pinnacle of your career, soaring over a bar that’s higher than most people can even reach, and then, instead of just fist-pumping or hugging your coach, you decide to drop it low and twerk right there on the track. Sounds wild, right? Well, that’s exactly what Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman Twerk Celebration did at the 2024 Paris Olympics, turning her bronze medal win into one of the most talked-about celebrations in sports history. If you’ve been scrolling through social media or catching Olympic highlights, you’ve probably heard about the “Alysha Newman twerk celebration.” It’s bold, it’s fun, and it’s got everyone from sports fans to critics buzzing. In this article, we’ll dive deep into what happened, why it went viral, and what it says about Alysha as an athlete and a person. We’ll keep things simple and straightforward so anyone—whether you’re a kid dreaming of the Olympics or a grandparent reminiscing about your own glory days—can follow along easily. Let’s jump right in!
Who Is Alysha Newman Twerk Celebration? Meet the Pole Vault Queen
Before we get to the twerking part (which, let’s be honest, is the headline-grabber), let’s talk about the woman behind the moves: Alysha Newman. Born on June 19, 1994, in London, Ontario, Canada, Alysha is a 30-year-old powerhouse in the world of track and field. She’s not just any athlete; she’s a three-time Olympian who’s been vaulting poles since her college days at the University of Miami, where she competed for the Hurricanes. Picture this: A young woman from a small Canadian town, trading snow for sunshine in Florida, and breaking records left and right. In 2016, she shattered the Canadian women’s pole vault record by clearing 4.60 meters—that’s about 15 feet high! That’s like leaping over a basketball hoop while holding a giant stick. Crazy, huh?
Alysha’s journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing, though. She’s battled constant injuries, from hamstring pulls to other nagging issues that would make most people hang up their spikes. But Alysha? She’s the type who says, “I’m injured constantly but I never give up. I never stop.” That’s her mantra, and it’s what makes her relatable to everyday folks facing their own challenges. Whether you’re a student struggling with homework or an adult pushing through a tough job, Alysha’s story reminds us that perseverance pays off. She’s won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games, but the Olympics? That was the big dream.
What sets Alysha apart is her personality. She’s not your stereotypical quiet athlete. She’s outgoing, confident, and unapologetically herself. She lives in Coral Gables, Florida, now, training hard while balancing life off the track. And speaking of off the track, Alysha has a side hustle on OnlyFans, where she shares training tips, nutrition advice, and glimpses into her athletic life. It’s not what you might think— no full nudity here, just empowering content that connects her with fans. She started it after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to fund her career, because let’s face it, being a pro athlete isn’t cheap. Coaches, travel, equipment—it all adds up. Alysha’s OnlyFans has helped her become more confident, and she says it connects her with more fans than any other pole vaulter ever. In a world where athletes often feel like they have to be perfect robots, Alysha is showing that you can be real, fun, and successful.
To make it even easier to grasp her achievements, here’s a quick table of Alysha’s major milestones:
| Year | Event | Achievement | Height Cleared |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Canadian Record | Broke national women’s record | 4.60 meters |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Medal | 4.75 meters |
| 2019 | Pan American Games | Bronze Medal | 4.60 meters |
| 2024 | Paris Olympics | Bronze Medal (First for Canada in women’s pole vault) | 4.85 meters |
See? She’s been building to this Olympic moment for years. Now, let’s get to the heart of why we’re all here: that epic twerk celebration.
The Olympic Glory: How Alysha Newman Twerk Celebration Soared to Bronze
The 2024 Paris Olympics were electric, with athletes from around the world pushing limits under the City of Light’s glow. On August 7, 2024, at the Stade de France, the women’s pole vault final was one of those events that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Nineteen top vaulters, including defending champion Katie Moon from the USA and Australia’s Nina Kennedy, were competing for gold. Alysha Newman, representing Canada, was in the mix, knowing this could be her shot at history.
Pole vaulting, for those new to it, is like a mix of gymnastics and track sprinting. You run full speed with a flexible pole, plant it in the ground, and use your momentum to flip yourself over a bar that’s raised higher and higher. It’s risky—one wrong move, and you could crash hard. Alysha had already qualified for the final with strong performances, but the pressure was on. She cleared earlier heights steadily, but when it came to 4.85 meters (about 15 feet 11 inches), that’s when the magic happened.
In a nail-biting attempt, Alysha gripped her pole, sprinted down the runway, and launched herself skyward. She arched her back, cleared the bar cleanly, and landed safely on the mat. The crowd erupted! Not only had she matched her personal best, but she also set a new Canadian record. At that moment, she didn’t know if it would secure a medal—Switzerland’s Angelica Moser still had attempts left—but it felt like a win. Gold went to Nina Kennedy at 4.90 meters, silver to Katie Moon at 4.85 meters (with fewer misses than Alysha), and bronze to our girl Alysha. This was huge: The first Olympic medal for a Canadian woman in pole vault, and Canada’s first in the event since 1912. Over 100 years of waiting, ended by Alysha’s grit.
Post-jump, Alysha was beaming. She pumped her fist, laughed, and then… well, you know. But before the twerk, let’s appreciate the athleticism. Alysha’s technique is flawless—her speed, her plant, her inversion. It’s years of training boiled down to seconds. For younger readers, think of it like this: It’s like jumping over a tall fence while running super fast, but the fence keeps getting higher. Alysha makes it look easy, but it’s anything but.
The Twerk Celebration: Breaking Down the Viral Moment
Okay, now for the fun part—the Alysha Newman twerk celebration that broke the internet! Right after landing that record-breaking 4.85-meter vault, Alysha hopped off the mat holding her leg, acting like she’d pulled a hamstring. The crowd gasped, her coaches looked worried, and for a split second, it seemed like disaster. But then, she dropped her hands to her knees, turned around, and started twerking! Quick hip shakes, a big smile, and pure joy. It lasted just a few seconds, but it was enough to go viral worldwide.
Why twerk? Alysha explained later in interviews that it was all a prank on her coaches. “I’m always injured, and I’m always getting back on the horse,” she told CBC Sports. “I said I’m gonna scare my coaches because I want them to lighten up.” Her team had been super intense during the competition, and she wanted to bring some levity. It wasn’t planned as a twerk specifically—it just flowed from the fake injury bit. “From grabbing that and getting to the knee with the twerk, it just all worked out in one,” she said. And get this: She’s been celebrating big after Canadian records for years, with backflips and dances at every meet. This was just her natural, playful self shining through.
The moment was captured on video and spread like wildfire. YouTube clips titled “Alysha Newman Twerk Celebration” racked up millions of views. On X (formerly Twitter), fans posted things like, “Bronze for Alysha Newman in pole vault, gold for Newman in best celebrations of the Paris Olympics!” It was cheeky, confident, and totally Alysha. For older folks reading this, twerking is a dance move popularized in hip-hop culture—think rapid hip and butt movements while squatting. It’s energetic and fun, often seen in music videos or celebrations. Alysha turned it into an Olympic highlight reel.
But was it all spontaneous? Some speculated it was to promote her OnlyFans, especially since she offers Olympic-themed discounts. Alysha addressed that head-on: “A lot of people think I broke out in the dance because of the bronze medal, but again, I didn’t know I had bronze.” It was about the record and the joy, not the promo. Still, the timing couldn’t have been better—or worse, depending on who you ask.
Viral Sensation: How the Twerk Took Over Social Media
In today’s digital age, one fun moment can make you a star overnight, and Alysha’s twerk did just that. Within hours, #AlyshaNewmanTwerk was trending on X, TikTok, and Instagram. Videos showed her shaking it on the track, with fans cheering and commentators cracking up. BBC’s coverage even had a stunned five-word response: “Well, that’s one way to celebrate!” Her Instagram followers jumped by 200,000 almost instantly, and OnlyFans saw a massive surge—over 20,000 new subscribers, causing the site to crash! Her team had to hop on a call with OnlyFans reps to fix it. Estimates say she earned over $155,000 from the boost, which she used to fund her coaches’ trips.
The viral wave wasn’t just positive, though. Social media is a double-edged sword. Memes flooded in—some hilarious, like editing her twerk into famous dances, others supportive, calling her a “badass” for owning her moment. But there was backlash too. Critics called it “gross” or “inappropriate,” saying Olympic athletes should be role models, not dancers. One X post read: “Olympic athletes used to be considered heroes and a source of national pride. This is just gross.” Others accused her of using it for OnlyFans promo, tying into the stigma around her side hustle.
Alysha handled it like a champ. “I don’t care what people think about me,” she told the New York Post. “The opinions of my friends, family, coaches, and agents matter to me.” She emphasized that OnlyFans is about empowerment: “It makes me confident and I feel good about it.” For her, it’s not just money—it’s connecting with fans through training vids and tips. The surge proved her point; more people now know about pole vaulting thanks to her fun vibe.
To break down the social media impact, here’s a simple table of reactions:
| Reaction Type | Examples | Why It Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | “Iconic! Gold in celebrations!” (X post) | Fans loved her joy and authenticity |
| Negative | “This is gross and unprofessional.” (Instagram comment) | Traditional views on athlete behavior |
| Neutral/Memes | Edits of twerk with Olympic themes | Humorous take on the unexpected moment |
| Supportive | “She has the right to celebrate any way!” | Defending personal expression |
It’s a reminder that going viral can be a rollercoaster, but Alysha rode it with grace.
Mixed Reactions: Love It or Hate It, You Can’t Ignore It
No big moment happens without some debate, and the Alysha Newman twerk celebration sparked plenty. On one side, supporters cheered her for breaking the mold. “Why can’t athletes have fun?” they asked. It humanized the Olympics, showing that medalists are real people with personality. For younger audiences, it’s inspiring—proving you can be athletic and expressive. Defenders pointed out it’s her first medal after years of struggle; let her celebrate!
On the flip side, detractors saw it as too provocative, especially with her OnlyFans link. Some felt it detracted from the sport, calling it attention-seeking. Media outlets like the New York Post highlighted the divide, with comments ranging from “playful fun” to “misstep.” Cultural differences played in too—twerking isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially in more conservative circles.
Alysha’s response? Pure resilience. “I can’t change many people’s minds,” she said in BILD. But she doesn’t try to. Her focus is on inspiring the next generation of Canadian vaulters, especially girls. “It’s the start of something amazing for Canadian pole vaulters,” she noted post-win. The controversy even boosted women’s sports visibility, sparking talks about athlete expression and body positivity.
In the end, the mixed reactions show how sports evolve. Gone are the days of stiff, scripted celebrations; now, it’s about authenticity. Alysha’s twerk fits right in with other viral Olympic moments, like Quincy Hall’s snow angels or Anthony Edwards’ banter.
Alysha’s Future: From Twerk to More Triumphs
So, what’s next for Alysha after her twerk-tastic Olympic debut? She’s already eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Games, aiming for gold. With her record broken and medal in hand, she’s more motivated than ever. Off the track, her OnlyFans and social media empire are booming, helping her build toward that “multimillionaire” dream she mentioned. She wants to be an entrepreneur, maybe start a business in fitness or coaching.
Alysha’s story is about more than one celebration—it’s about defying odds, embracing who you are, and having fun along the way. For kids, it’s a lesson in hard work; for adults, it’s about not taking life too seriously. She’s raised the bar for Canadian pole vaulting and for bold self-expression in sports.
Wrapping It Up: Why the Alysha Newman Twerk Celebration Matters
The Alysha Newman Twerk Celebration isn’t just a funny clip—it’s a symbol of joy, resilience, and breaking barriers. From her record-setting vault to the viral dance, Alysha showed the world that athletes can be fierce competitors and fun-loving humans. Whether you loved the twerk or not, you can’t deny its impact: It put pole vaulting on the map, inspired fans, and proved that celebrating big is part of winning big.