Hi, my name is Beth Tweddle and I am 17-years-old. I am an English gymnast and am hoping to make this years Commonwealth Games Team and win a medal. I train at the City of Liverpool Gymnastics club in Toxteth and I attend the Queen's School in Chester. I live in Cheshire so the games are very close to my home. You'll be able to follow my progress and preparation for the Games right here in Kit's Zone.

People often ask me how I got into the sport. I started training when I was seven at Crewe and Nantwich Gymnastics Club. I have always had a lot of energy around the house and was always upside down as a kid!

In my first national competition I came second and was hooked. At the age of 12 I moved to the City of Liverpool where I train six days a week! In 1998 I came second in the 'Espoires' Championships (for 12 and 13 year olds) but unfortunately broke my foot in the apparatus finals.

Within the year and after two operations I was back to full training. Last year I became the senior British champion and competed in the World Championships where I placed 24th overall and the team came ninth - a record placing.

This April I competed in the European Championships where I placed 14th overall. The team placed 6th (another record!) and I became the first British woman to ever win a medal by placing 3rd on the asymmetric bars and 7th on beam.

My family are very supportive of my sport as they are also very sporty. My brother, James who is 19 plays hockey for Cannock in the National Premier League and has also represented England at U18/U21 level. He is currently studying at Birmingham University.

With this sport you get to travel to many countries and see their way of living! You also get to meet many new friends.

Every week I will be telling you about an aspect of my preparation for the Commonwealth Games so watch this space!