By Vera Atkinson
British Gymnastics
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| Beth Tweddle (Volker Minkus) |
Fluent final performance of Beth Tweddle who was also the highest scorer in the A. Bars’ Qualifications in Volos (GRE), led the 21-year-old from Liverpool to hers and Great Britain’s first Senior European title ever. (Score of 16.050)
The Silver medal went to Jana Sikulova (CZE), 15.050 and the Bronze- to Lenika De Simona (ESP), 14.825.
The European medal collection of Beth is now full:
BRONZE in Patras (GRE) 2002,
SILVER in Amsterdam (NED) 2004,
GOLD in Patras (GRE) 2006.
The other British European finalists took the following positions:
Imogen Cairns (Seniors)- Vault- 8th
Laura Jones (Juniors)- Beam- 5th
Becky Downie (Juniors)- Floor- 6th
Minutes after her well-deserved triumph in Greece Beth Tweddle said:
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| Beth, Women's European A. Bars Champion (Volker Minkus) |
“It is Fantastic! I knew I was good enough to win the title, but I also knew I had to deliver a spotless performance on the day. I am so happy and relieved now!”
On her recent ankle injury, incurred during the Commonwealth Games in March in Melbourne:
“It still hurts a bit, therefore I had to be very careful on the dismount. But then, when you perform, you neglect the pain…”
On her strongest rival in the A. Bars Final:
“I thought this will be Vanessa Ferrari from Italy who had the second best score in the Qualifications, but her performance in the Final didn’t win her a medal.”
On her aspirations to win another World medal in Aarhus (DEN) in October 2006:
“Well, I will be back to the gym as soon as we return home and will work on polishing and improving further my routine.”
On the new elements in her winning routine:
“In view of the new International Code of Points I have added a “Pak” and a “Shaposhnikova” to my routine.
On whom her thanks should first go to?
"To my personal coach Amanda Kirby, of course, but also a VERY special Thanks to the Medical staff who made possible my recovery and performances in Volos- John Aldridge (Doctor), Sharon Williams and Julie Sparrow (Physio)".
PROFILE
DOB: 1/04/85 (21)
Place of Birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
Nickname: Betty, Tweds, Beth
Height: 162 cm
Residence: Lives in Bunbury and trains in Park Road gym in Liverpool
Hometown: Bunbury, Cheshire
Started Gymnastics: 7 years old
Club: City of Liverpool
Personal Coach: Amanda Kirby
First Coaches: Charlie Oaks, Fergus Beedham
Education: From 2004 - John Moores University in Liverpool (Sports Science)
Family: Beth’s brother James (3 years older than her) is an excellent hockey player.
Favourites: Music: “R & B”
Film: “She’s all that”
Hobby: Shopping
Place: Australia
Website: www.bethtweddle.com
Best Apparatus: A. Bars! Beam, Floor, All-around
Best Achievements:
Beth Tweddle has set a number of “first time ever” achievements for British Gymnastics. She was the first British woman to win medals at World level (Bronze in Anaheim 2003 and in Melbourne 2005) and at European level (Gold in 2006, Silver in 2004 and Bronze in 2002) - all of them, on her best apparatus, the Asymmetric Bars.
She is also the 2002 Commonwealth Games Champion and 2005 World Students Champion on A. Bars and five-times British All-around Champion (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005).
Her results at the International stage over the last three years are all the more impressive – whenever and wherever she competes, she is a recognised potential threat not only on the Bars, but also in the All-around, on Beam and on Floor.
Totally dedicated to Gymnastics, hard-working in the gym, but still excellent in her academic achievements, Beth is the best role model produced by British Gymnastics so far.