Downie eyeing up hat-trick of bars medals at World Champs

Becky Downie insists she is setting her sights on completing a memorable hat-trick as she goes for uneven bars gold at the World Gymnastics Championships.

Downie has already had a year to remember, kicking things off with a gold in the uneven bars and team silver at the European Championships in Sofia in May, before leaving with gold in both events at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

In Bulgaria Downie became the first British woman other than Beth Tweddle to win an individual European title.

But the 22-year-old is in no mood to slow down anytime soon and is looking for more double joy in Nanning.

"Individually, I'm looking to pick up a medal in the bars final," said Downie, who will get her assault in China underway on Sunday when she competes in the women’s team event alongside Claudia Fragapane, Hannah Whelan, Ruby Harrold, Gabby Jupp and Kelly Simm.

"Also, as a team I think we're well prepared and we're looking to build on the success we've had at the Euro's [silver] and Commonwealths [gold]."

The World Championships represent the first stage of team qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics, with the British men and women seeking a top-24 ranking.

They would then return for the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow knowing a top-eight place finish would secure them berths in Brazil.

© Sportsbeat 2014