Great Britain’s Beth Tweddle defended both her titles as she struck double gold again at the European Gymnastics Championships in Birmingham.
She took podium top spot with a flawless uneven bar routine, then returned less than an hour later to secure the floor title – in which she is also world champion – with an equally foot-perfect performance.
Tweddle saw off the challenge from gymnastics powerhouse Russia to take her medals and clearly thrived as the centre of attention from a partisan home crowd at the National Indoor Arena – a good sign ahead of London 2012.
She was well ahead of Aliya Mustafina on the bars but was given a closer challenge by Anna Myzdrikova on the floor.
Her next focus will be defending her world title in Rotterdam later this year – where she will compete instead of the Commonwealth Games.
But the 25-year old is already dreaming of another win in London – this time at the Olympics, following last year’s world triumph at the o2.
„The Olympic medal is the only reason that I’m carrying on,” admitted Tweddle, who finished an agonising fourth on the uneven bars in Beijing.
„I’m so pleased to defend both my titles, especially as I could feel the expectation from the crowd.
Tweddle admitted she struggled to keep focussed following her role in Great Britain’s historic team silver performance on Saturday.
„The last 24 hours have been an emotional rollercoaster and I really needed to bring myself down and focus on this job,” she added.
„I think my experience was the difference and I’m delighted to do the job.
Great Britain’s other three finalists – Rebecca Downie, Niamh Rippin and Nicole Hibbert – were all off the medals, although all are rising stars who offer much promise for the future.
Downie was fifth behind Tweddle in the bars while Rippin was equal sixth in the floor and Hibbert was eighth and last in the vault final.
Russia’s Ekaterina Kurbatova edged out ‘s Youna Dufournet to win the vault while Romania’s Elena Amelia Racea claimed the balance beam title.
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Double European gold for Tweddle
Great Britain’s Beth Tweddle defended both her titles as she struck double gold again at the European Gymnastics Championships in Birmingham.
She took podium top spot with a flawless uneven bar routine, then returned less than an hour later to secure the floor title – in which she is also world champion – with an equally foot-perfect performance.
Tweddle saw off the challenge from gymnastics powerhouse Russia to take her medals and clearly thrived as the centre of attention from a partisan home crowd at the National Indoor Arena – a good sign ahead of London 2012.
She was well ahead of Aliya Mustafina on the bars but was given a closer challenge by Anna Myzdrikova on the floor.
Her next focus will be defending her world title in Rotterdam later this year – where she will compete instead of the Commonwealth Games.
But the 25-year old is already dreaming of another win in London – this time at the Olympics, following last year’s world triumph at the o2.
„The Olympic medal is the only reason that I’m carrying on,” admitted Tweddle, who finished an agonising fourth on the uneven bars in Beijing.
„I’m so pleased to defend both my titles, especially as I could feel the expectation from the crowd.
Tweddle admitted she struggled to keep focussed following her role in Great Britain’s historic team silver performance on Saturday.
„The last 24 hours have been an emotional rollercoaster and I really needed to bring myself down and focus on this job,” she added.
„I think my experience was the difference and I’m delighted to do the job.
Great Britain’s other three finalists – Rebecca Downie, Niamh Rippin and Nicole Hibbert – were all off the medals, although all are rising stars who offer much promise for the future.
Downie was fifth behind Tweddle in the bars while Rippin was equal sixth in the floor and Hibbert was eighth and last in the vault final.
Russia’s Ekaterina Kurbatova edged out ‘s Youna Dufournet to win the vault while Romania’s Elena Amelia Racea claimed the balance beam title.
