Gymnast Beth Tweddle starts Birkenhead College course

Oct 29 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

beth

A TOP British gymnast has embarked on a physiotherapy course at Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

Beth Tweddle will be completing a foundation course in physiotherapy before going on to study the subject at Liverpool University.

The 23-year-old already has a degree in Sports Science from Liverpool John Moores University but plans to fulfil her ambition of becoming a physiotherapist after retirement from competition.

Beth began her gymnastics career when she was seven after being entered at her local club in Crewe and Nantwich.

In 1994 at the age of nine she became a member of the British Junior National Team and in 1997 she competed in her first British Espoir championships shortly after moving to the City of Liverpool Gymnastic club.

Beth was the first British gymnast to win a medal at the World and European Championships in 2001. She became a seven-time British National Champion, winning the title every year from 2001 to 2007.

At the Beijing Olympics in the summer she came 4th in the uneven bars final, just missing out on a medal.

Biology teacher Sue Ashton said: “Beth’s determination and tenacious approach to achieving excellence in her sporting career make her an ideal candidate for this academic challenge.”