Keatings is the first British man to win a medal in the world all-around final

The father and coach of Corby gymnast Daniel Keatings have both saluted his achievement of winning a silver medal at the World Championships.

Keatings, 19, finished second behind Japan's Kohei Uchimura in the all-around event at London's O2 Arena.

Daniel's father Robert Keatings told BBC Radio Northampton: "You can't believe how happy I am.

"We got a few minutes with him afterwards but the team's very professional and won't celebrate yet."

Keatings, who reached the all-around final at the Beijing Olympics last year, started off in the sport as a five-year-old at his local club in Corby.

"People don't realise how much work is involved in being a full-time gymnast," added Mr Keatings.

"It's phenomenal how dedicated he is but it pays off in the end."

It's a great boost to his experience and his reputation Coach Paul Hall

Keatings' coach Paul Hall said: "This is pretty huge. To achieve this three years before London 2012 is a very, very special achievement.

"He's a real role model who's been in the gym for five or six hours pretty much every day for the last 12 years.

"It's a great boost to his experience and his reputation and has certainly enhanced his prospects for the next Olympics. The gold medal looms now and that has to be his target."

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