2008 British Women’s Championships
The Guildford Spectrum,
Parkway, Guildford
Saturday, 28 June- All-around (Senior & Junior)
Sunday, 29 June- Apparatus Finals (Senior, Junior & Espoir)
This year’s British Individual Women’s Championships plays also a crucial role in the Olympic selection process; it is the third and last selection event that gives a chance for the nation’s elite to get on the plane to Beijing!
No wonder then The Guildford Spectrum sold out weeks ago and all is set for a tight, high quality competition not only in the senior section, but also for the junior and espoir gymnasts who are looking forward to London 2012.
It is to be seen if the British Champion Beth Tweddle, unbeaten between 2001 and 2007, will go ahead and attempt to achieve an record equalling eighth overall title. With sparse time left to Beijing all will come down to her individual planning on how to reach her peak form in August.
The twice British Junior Champion (2006, 2007) Becky Downie, from Notts, seems to have everything in place to tackle the title, along with last year’s senior silver and bronze medallists Hannah Clowes and Aisling Williams (both from the City of Liverpool, as is Melanie Roberts, 4th in 2007).
The defending champion on Vault, Marissa King from Huntingdon and Imogen Cairns (The Academy) who is quickly improving her form after a long break caused by injuries, are also very strong candidates to join the line-up for Beijing.
The last year’s top junior gymnasts, Rebecca Wing (Heathrow), Laura Jones (Notts) and Hannah Whelan (Liverpool) will compete as seniors for the first time, but over the last year they have already proved their huge potential to both make the Olympic team and win medals in the British Championships.
The announcement of the Olympic line-up is scheduled to take place at the end of the competition on Sunday, immediately after the Apparatus Finals of the Seniors, Juniors and Espoirs.
Competition Programme:
Saturday, 28 June- All-around Junior (from 10:30am) and Senior (from 5:00pm)
Sunday, 29 June- Apparatus Finals (from 11:00am) Espoir, Junior and Senior
2008-06-27
