Olympics - Double gold for Tweddle

Eurosport - Mon, 06 Jul 13:04:00 2009

Former world champion Beth Tweddle struck double gymnastics gold for Great Britain at the World University Games in Belgrade.

Beth Tweddle - GB - 0

Tweddle, who won two golds at the European Championships earlier this year, won both the uneven bars and floor title after qualifying for the finals with the two top scores.

She saw off competition from Korea's Yong Hwa Ha and China's Yuyuan Jiang on the bars but was pushed all the way in the floor - Jiang and Chinese team-mate Ning He completed the podium.

After missing out on a medal at last year's Olympics, Tweddle said she was considering her future in the sport.

But a change of heart and some encouraging results means she is looking forward to October's World Championships in London with confidence.

"I have been lucky that both universities have been very supportive off all my training. They know that I want to succeed both academically and in my sport," said Tweddle, a physiotherapy student at the University of Liverpool.

"The feeling of winning medals for your country is always amazing and something I am very proud of.

"Being at university has enabled me to train in some of the best facilities in the country, and competing at the World University Games is an invaluable experience as I prepare for London 2012."

Meanwhile, 17-year old Becky Downie completed a superb weekend at the women's British Championship with more medals.

After winning the all-around title for the second year, she added golds in the beam, bar and floor in Guildford.

"I've had a really good weekend," she said.

"I'm most pleased with my beam performance because that has been wobbly so far this year and I've worked really hard, so its great to see that work pay of with good scores.

"I felt the most pressure in the all-around but that's always the way it is when your are defending your title.

"The result's this weekend have definitely lifted my confidence and given me a great boost ahead of the World Championships."

More than the Games / Eurosport

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