Scotland's Daniel Keatings set a new standard for British gymnastics this year when he became the youngest winner of a silver medal in the pommel horse at the European Championships in Holland.

It put him on the fast track to success and the future could hardly be brighter. This month, he takes part in his first senior world championships - and next year's Olympic Games in Beijing are a realistic target. In the long term, he is one of Britain's high hopes for London 2012.

"It's been a fantastic year for Danny," says his coach, Paul Hall. "People forget that he is only 17-years-old and still a junior. Competing at events such as European and World Championships, he is still very much a boy in a man's world."

At the world championships in Stuttgart, Keatings is one of seven British squad members hoping to push the team into the top 12 and automatic qualification for Beijing. Even if the team doesn't make it, Keatings has a chance to make the Olympics as an individual in the pommel.

"The first test is to make the top group and get into the final and then to try and qualify for Beijing," continued Hall.

Keatings, whose parents are Scottish, started his gymnastics career in Corby, but has been based with Hall at the Huntingdon Olympic Club in Cambridgeshire since he was ten.

"It's a great club and a great base," said Keatings, who is now a full-time gymnast. "Getting to Beijing would be a huge step, but I have a chance. It would be superb to make it."

But gymnastics is a precarious business. It takes hours and hours of practice to reach the top, and yet one small slip on competition day can leave dreams in tatters. And there is always the danger of injuries.

"By London 2012, Danny will be 22 and should be at his peak," is Hall's assessment of his star pupil's future. "If he can stay injury-free then he has the potential to be a real star.

"It's a long road, but Danny is on his way and he's come around at exactly the right time."

It is certainly a good time for British gymnastics. Beth Tweddle raised interest in the sport by becoming the first Briton to win a world championship title last year - she defends the uneven bars in Stuttgart.

"Beth is a great ambassador for our sport," Hall agrees. "She's a great gymnast, but she has also a very clever girl and has managed to get a university degree.

"I want the same for Danny. He's done his GCSEs and is currently on a year out to try and make Beijing. But I'm pushing him towards college so that he has something else to fall back on. He has to prepare for life after gymnastics."

Hall also coaches Scottish Women's Champion Emma White, while his former pupils include Scotland's Commonwealth games gymnast, Jon Mutch. Mutch is no longer competing, but is still make a living from his talents.

"He's doing some stunt work and he also appears in advertisements. I quite often see him on TV," said Hall.

But for Keatings, it is still all about championships, points and reaching goals. It promises to be an exciting few years for young Keatings - with London 2012 the ultimate target.

EB

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