Beth Tweddle factfile and podcast

Aug 11 2008 The Journal

SOUTH-African born 23-year-old Beth Tweddle became the first British gymnastic world champion in history when she won gold on the uneven bars at the 2006 World Championships in Aarhus.

Click here to hear Beth Tweddle on her preparations for the Olympics in Beijing where she will be taking part in the women's gymnastics.

1985: Born April 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

1994-96: Member of Great Britain Under-12 squad.

1999: At the British Junior Championships she takes third in the all-around and first in floor exercise.

2000: Finishes second on uneven bars at Hungarian International. Wins all-around gold at the Junior Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

Finishes 14th in all-around and sixth on uneven bars at Junior European Championships in Paris. At British Junior Championships she takes third place in all-around and first on uneven bars. Also first on floor exercise.

2001: At senior World Championships in Ghent, Tweddle finished 24th in all-around and ninth with team. Secures first place at British Championships on both all-around and uneven bars.

Takes seventh place on balance beam at Cottbus Cup in Germany, and first on uneven bars in Great Britain v Romania international match.

2002: Finishes first on uneven bars at Cottbus Cup. Becomes overall British champion for second straight year - winning on uneven bars and beam, while taking bronze in vault and fourth on floor.

July 27 - Wins silver as member of women's team at Commonwealth Games.

July 29 - Takes gold in women's uneven bars at Commonwealth Games.

2003: Becomes first British gymnast to win a medal at World Championships, claiming bronze on uneven bars.

2004: Wins silver medal at European Championships on uneven bars and finished fifth with Great Britain team.

Finishes 19th in all-around competition at Athens Olympic Games and 11th in team competition with Team GB.

Wins silver medal on uneven bars and finished fifth in floor competition at World Cup finals in Birmingham.

2006: Forced to withdraw from Commonwealth Games in Melbourne after sustaining ankle injury in training.

Becomes first British gymnast to win European Championship gold, when winning gold on the uneven bars.

October: Becomes Britain's first ever gymnastics world champion when she won on the uneven bars.

Won gold again on the uneven bars at the World Cup final.

2007: Helps Great Britain secure a team place in the Beijing Olympics at the World Championships.

Wins seventh successive British National Chmapionships title.