Whelan completes injury comeback with national gymnastics title

HANNAH Whelan put her recent injury nightmare behind her to claim the British all-around Gymnastics title in Guildford.

PERFECT POSE: Hannah Whelan followed in the footsteps of fellow Liverpool gymnast Beth Tweddle after she was crowned British all-around national gymnastic champion

The 17-year old City of Liverpool gymnast was absent for most of last year with a wrist injury, which also forced her to miss the World and European Championships, both held on home soil.

However, the teenager - who helped Great Britain to a ninth place team finish at the Beijing Olympics - looked back to her best as a 57.800 score was good enough for her first national title.

"I didn't have any aims or expectations coming into the competition. So to then go out and win is just incredible," she said. 

"After all my injury problems, to then return and become British Champion is fantastic.

"I didn't really have any goals for the tournament, I didn't set myself any aims, all I wanted was to get out there and perform to the best of my ability."

Nicole Hibbert, who won last year's junior title, made the move into seniors a seamless one with a silver medal while Danusia Francis, who is also coming back from injury, claimed third.

"In training I felt a slight problem with my hip but it seems to have recovered," said Hibbert.

"My beam was a bit wobbly but overall I'm happy. It's potentially a big year coming up with either the Commonwealth Games or World Championships, so I'm really looking forward to the next few months."

Laura Mitchell followed Heathrow team-mate Hibbert by being crowned junior champion - following on from her success of reaching the all-around final a the European Championships.

"I wasn’t really thinking about the results it was more focusing on how to perform each piece," she said.

"I always try to enjoy each competition, even though its nerve-wracking. I still want to have fun when I compete. I can’t even put into words how amazing this year has been for me, I'm so happy.”