Exclusive: Keatings talks about World silver medal in gymnastics
Daniel Keatings still can't believe he is a World silver medallist.
The 19-year-old from Corby produced a stunning display at the World
Gymnastics Championships in London just over a week ago to claim the silver medal in the all-round competition.
Keatings' performances caused a real stir as he recovered from failing
to make the final in his preferred event – the pommel horse – to show his all-round credentials and place Great Britain firmly on the map in men's gymnastics.
It was, without question, his finest hour after years of training and he is already being tipped for a medal when the Olympics take place in London in just under three years.
But, for the time being, Keatings is doing his best to stay "in the zone" as he is in Germany this weekend for a Champions Trophy event before he takes part in the British Championships in London next weekend.
"It still hasn't sunk in yet," Keatings said.
"I still have a couple of competitions to concentrate on so I am doing my best to stay in the zone at the moment.
"It's not easy and I came back into the gym last Monday and was finding it hard to concentrate after everything that happened.
"The media coverage I got just went through the roof and I haven't really had much time to think about it and reflect on what happened.
"It really was a dream come true. I was disappointed with what happened in the pommel and I just promised myself I would try to prove what I
was capable of in the all-round competition.
"I was hoping for a top eight finish and that would have been brilliant.
"But to get a silver medal was just unbelievable. It is the greatest
achievement of my life so far."
Keatings produced his brilliant display in front of a partisan home crowd at the O2 Arena, while his friends and family were also on hand to watch him make history.
And he admitted the response he has had back home in Corby has been overwhelming.
"All my friends and family have been fantastic and have shown me incredible support," he added.
"But the response from the public has been brilliant.
"I have had people I don't even know coming up to me and shaking my hand. It's been an amazing time."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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