 A-bars world number one Tweddle is going for gold in Debrecen |
Gymnast Beth Tweddle continued her fine form ahead of next month's European Championships with asymmetric bars silver at the French International. The 20-year-old was just pipped to top honours by the reigning Olympic A-bars champion Emilie Lepennec of France.
Lepennec scored 9.525 to Tweddle's 9.450 in Paris-Bercy over the weekend, while Dariya Zgoba, of the Ukraine, took the bronze medal with 9.375.
Tweddle will be one of five GB gymnasts in action in Hungary from 2-5 June.
Joining the City of Liverpool star will be Rhian Pugh, the 2004 junior A-bars European champion, who makes her debut at senior European level.
Vault specialist Sam Bayley completes the women's line up for Debrecen, while rings expect Ross Brewer and all-rounder David Massam will fly the flag for Britain's men.
Tweddle also finished seventh in her secondary discipline, the floor exercise, in the French capital - a result which her coach Amanda Kirby feels bodes well for Debrecen.
 | We look forward to the European battle in two weeks time |
"(On the bars) we didn't expect to win against the French Olympic champion on her home ground," Kirby said.
"But I was extremely pleased with Beth's floor routine in the qualifications.
"She entered the finals in second position, but a fall on a piked Arabian prevented her achieving higher than seventh.
"But we resume training on Monday and look forward to the European battle in in two weeks time."