Michael “Mimi” Kraus: From Handball Champion to Dancing Star
Michael “Mimi” Kraus is a man of many talents. He is a handball world champion, successful entrepreneur, father of four, and now a dancing star on “Let’s Dance”. At only 39 years old, it’s clear that Kraus is an athlete, but what about his dance moves?
Kraus is putting his dancing luck to the test on the dance floor with professional dancer Mariia Maksina. They have already gone through several dances on the show, and though they were not convincing with their Cha Cha Cha in the first episode, they quickly improved with a tango performance the following week, and a romantic slow waltz dedicated to his wife Bella in the third episode.
Kraus was born in Göppingen with his twin sister, Alena, and he quickly found his passion for handball. He played in the center backcourt position and was voted Bravo Boy of the Year in 2000. It didn’t take long for him to make his way to the national team, and his performance in the Handball World Championship in 2007 earned him a place on the all-star team.
Despite his success, Kraus faced a setback in 2014 when he was accused of not carrying out his doping control duties three times. However, he was able to legally defend himself against the allegations, with his girlfriend Bella testifying for him. His ban was reduced by three months, and he went on to continue his successful career, winning the EHF Cup with Frisch Auf Göppingen in 2016, and playing for multiple clubs until his retirement in 2020.
Now, Kraus is focused on his new venture, “NICE Athletic Club”, which he opened with his wife Bella. They have documented their pregnancies on Bella’s YouTube channel, showing their love and connection as they continue to take on new challenges together.
Kraus’ journey is a testament to his determination and passion both on and off the court. As he impresses audiences with his dance moves on “Let’s Dance”, we can’t wait to see what’s next for this multitalented man.
