Daniel Keatings focuses on Team GB for 2010

"Happy New Year everyone!"

"After a hectic but very successful year, I thought now would be as good a time as any to reflect on 2009 as well as look forward to 2010."

March

• The Huntingdon team won the British Team Championships, which I was a member of
• At the London Open, I won Gold for the very first time in the All Around competition

April

• At the European Championships held in Milan, I won Silver in the All Around and Bronze on the Pommel Horse

May

• In the Glasgow Grand Prix I won a Bronze on the Pommel; my first medal in this competition

September

• After missing the first round of the Champions Trophy through injury, I finished in third place in the second stage of the competition held in Berlin

October

• October was home to my historic Silver medal win in the All Around competition at the World Championships in London - what a competition!!
• I finished first at the third stage of the Champions trophy in Hannover

November

• In 2008 I lost the All Around British Senior Title to Kristian Thomas; in November 2009 I regained it!
• In the final stage of the Champions Trophy, in Stuttgart, I finished sixth and joint third across all stages

"Wow...when I write it all down it seems 2009 was a year of great achievements! I just hope 2010 will bring the same success.

"As I reflect on the past year it is also a chance for me to thank some people that, quite honestly, I couldn't have succeeded without. The year wasn't without its lows and with the success came many injuries.

"Ahead of the European and World Championships I picked up injuries which prevented me from competing in both competitions. I have to thank all the medical and support staff who helped me to get fit enough to achieve the two highest points of my career to date; a Silver in the All Around European Championships and a history making Silver in the All Around at the World Championships."

The New Year - 2010

"This year is all about Team GB.

"The European Team Championships is the third largest in the world gymnastics calendar so this is a very prestigious event. It will take place at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena (NIA) from 21st - 25th April. It's a really important competition for the team as the two week event will be the first qualifying event for the London 2012 Olympics.

"The World Championships in October will be challenging too. Team GB has to qualify in the 24 teams to go through to the next stage of qualification round for the Olympics in 2012 - no pressure!

"With us having to compete in this competition it does unfortunately mean I will be unavailable to compete for Scotland in the Common Wealth Games in Delhi, which is a huge shame. I do however want to wish all the competitors that will be taking part the best of luck.

"That's all from me for now. I am off to Lilleshall National Sports Centre for training, so see you in a couple of weeks for the next blog update on how my 2010 is shaping up."

Dan

NEXT BLOG...Training at Lilleshall ahead of the Europeans

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