Another world gold for Tweddle, silver for Smith

BETH Tweddle has captured uneven bars gold at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam - the third time she has visited the top of the world podium in her career.

GOLDEN GIRL: Beth Tweddle is delighted with her performance on the uneven bars which saw her land her third world title of her career (Reuters)

The 25-year-old, who won floor gold a year ago in the o2 arena, chalked up 15.733 points to secure victory and reclaim the crown she won four years ago in Aarhus.

It caps a superb day for Great Britain as Olympic bronze medallist Louis Smith banished his 2009 demons to scoop pommel horse silver and Dan Purvis clinched floor exercise bronze.

Tweddle's victory will be all the more satisfying judging by her dramatic fall in the uneven bars a year ago in London.

The Liverpudlian then bounced back to take floor gold, but after two costly errors in that discipline in Rotterdam, Tweddle recovered to secure a superb bars gold medal.

Tweddle moved to the top of the leaderboard after her performance but faced an anxious wait with five competitors still to complete their routines.

The Brit knew was well placed for a medal however with  Chinese rival and Olympic gold medallis He Kexin falling and the final five fell by the wayside, handing Tweddle gold.

"It means everything to me to regain the bars title," said Tweddle. "I have worked so hard day in day out in the gym for this so I'm very proud.

"I wasn't watching the previous routines but from the noise of the crowd I could tell the two Chinese girls ahead of me had fallen and so I tried to remain calm, but knew at that point that if I went clean I had a great chance of winning the title."

Silver went to Russia's Aliya Mustafina, who has already won team and all-around gold in the Netherlands. Not even she could leapfrog Tweddle for gold.

Smith meanwhile, had endured a competition to forget at the o2, suffereing an embarrassing fall, ensuring he left London empty-handed.

But he made up for that disappointment to notch up 15.733 points and take second place, swiftly following compatriot Purvis onto the podium.

 "This medal really rounds of a fantastic competition for Britain," said Smith.

"For me personally, I've come here and hit every routine clean, having put a lot of pressure on myself after falling last year and I'm very proud that I made no mistakes and proved myself once again."