Keatings looks to impress after five gold haul at nationals

Dan Keatings believes he's done enough to earn selection for next month's gymnastics European Championships after striking five domestic golds in Liverpool.

Keatings made history four years ago when he became the first British gymnast to win an all-around world medal, claiming a famous silver in London.

And he then became Britain's first-ever senior European gold medallist on the pommel horse one year later.

But injuries punctuated the countdown to last year's Olympics and he missed out on selection, despite a last-ditch appeal to team officials.

However, he underlined his determination at the British Championships by adding to golds on the pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar with two further wins in the masters competition, apparatus finals competed by senior, junior and youth age categories.

Keatings now hopes to be part of the six-strong men's team for next month's European in Moscow - where Great Britain seek to defend their historic team gold from 12 months ago in Montpellier.

"There are 12 guys going for six places but I hope my performances this weekend have done enough to earn a slot," he said.

"I came here to win a few medals and only wanted to compete on three pieces and managed to pick up five out of six golds, so I'm pretty happy with myself.

"I knew I had to up my game and I believe that I've done that, we'll just have to see whether it is enough."

Keatings has long been considered Britain's best all-around gymnast but recent knee and ankle injuries means he is focussed on just three apparatus at present, leaving out the vault, floor and rings.

"I'll probably come back to the all-around later this year. I've been injured for two years and every time I get back to fitness, I get injured again," he added.

"I want to work on three apparatus for the time being and get really consistent on them but I'm certainly not finished with the all-around."

Meanwhile, new British all-around champion Gabrielle Jupp won beam and floor gold while Niamh Rippin triumphed in the vault and Beijing Olympian Beckie Downie took the bars.

© Sportsbeat 2013