Even before winning Britain’s first-ever gymnastics world championships gold medal, Beth Tweddle was her country’s most successful gymnast in history.  She is a six-time British national champion, and with three world medals and three European medals on her specialty, uneven bars, she has established herself as a clear favorite for the 2008 Olympics.

Elizabeth Kimberly Tweddle was born on April 1, 1985 in Johannesburg, South Africa, where her family was residing temporarily for her father’s job.  Her family returned to Great Britain when she was 18 months old.

Beth began gymnastics at a local club called Crewe and Nantwhich when she was 7 years old.  Gymnastics was a fun pastime for her, but her coaches soon realized her potential and she began training more seriously.  Beth joined the British junior national team in 1994 and competed in her first British Espoir Championships in 1997.  Shortly after the championships, she moved to the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club, where she trains today.  Her coach is 1984 Olympian Amanda Kirby.

Just one year after her first world championships in 2001, Beth began winning medals on the uneven bars at international competitions.  She was the 2002 Commonwealth Games all-around silver medallist and uneven bars gold medallist.  She qualified for her first World Championships event final on uneven bars but did not medal.  In 2003, she won her first World medal with a bronze on uneven bars.

After winning the silver medal on uneven bars at the 2004 European Championships, Beth represented Britain at the 2004 Olympics.  She was hampered by injuries during most of 2005, but won bronze on the uneven bars at the 2005 World Championships.  However, 2006 was a most memorable year for Beth.

She won the gold medal on uneven bars at the 2006 European Championships and followed up with the world bars title at the World Championships—the first world title for a British gymnast.  Beth’s winning ways continued at the 2006 World Cup Final, where she again won on uneven bars.

Beth’s success has garnered her many awards, honors and even a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.  She currently studies at St. John Moores University in Liverpool.  She is focused on competing at the 2008 Olympics, after which she would like to retire in order to fully concentrate on her studies in Sport Science.

As Beth’s success and popularity grows, another first for British gymnastics is on the horizon—Olympic gold in 2008.

Bio by: Splitleap