Annika
was first noticed by the gymnastics world, at the 1991 Weetabix British
Junior Gymnast of the Year. As a sprightly 12-year-old, Annika won this
competition easily, and became known as a future star for British gymnastics.
Her skill level at such an early age was incredible, and hardly seen in
Great Britain previously (if at all). At
the beginning of 1996, Annika travelled to Puerto Rico for her fourth
World Championships, knowing that a strong performance would help her
gain a berth to her dream - the Olympic Games. Indeed she did thiss, and
in doing so, placed a fantastic 10th on floor. To be in the top ten in
the world on an apparatus is a major achievement, and only two spots from
making a World final is brilliant. She also placed within the top 30 on
the other three apparatus at this competition. Annika's
second European Championships were held in her home country in 1996, in
Birmingham. In front of a home crowd, Annika wanted to put in a great
result. This she did. In her first major all around competition (excluding
the 1994 Brisbane Worlds where she didn't have to qualify), Annika was
the only British qualifier and ended up in 13th place. She stuck all of
her routines solidly, and further enhanced her chance of making the British
Olympic Team. Annika
had a mixed Olympic Games. She placed 64th all around, and with just a
9.000 on optional floor, did not qualify for the floor final. However
the experience of competing at an Olympic Games was invaluable, and did
her country proudly. With
the new Olympic cycle came new rules and new competitors, with the juniors
moving up to the senior ranks. Annika placed second at the British National
Championships, English Championships and British Team Championships, behind
two new gymnasts Lisa Mason (both British Championships) and Melissa Wilcox
(English Championships). However, Annika had to count a disastrous 6.750
on beam in the latter, without which she would have undoubtably won. At
the 1997 World Championships, Annika was again the top gymnast for Great
Britain, and placed 51st all around. She also put in a great performance
on floor, scoring 9.300. Soon
after, Annika went to Malaysia for the 1998 Commonwealth Games. This time
her team was second, and individually Annika placed 8th (including a disastrous
7.937 on bars). In event finals, Annika won a bronze medal on vault (9.124)
and successfully defended her floor title from 1994 with 9.625. Annika
was the only gymnast to defend her title from 1994, and the only female
gymnast to ever achieve this in history! Also
in 1998, Annika once again placed second at the British National Championships
to Lisa Mason. The
British National Championships were a wonderful time for Annika, where
she was able to re-capture the title that had eluded her for four years.
Ironically she won only bars in the event finals, but the all around win
was a tremendous victory for the 20-year-old. The
1999 World Championships in Tianjin, China was Annika's sixth! In this
competition, Annika helped her British team to a history making 11th place,
and qualifying a team for the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. Barring
major disaster, Annika would be able to compete in her second Olympic
Games, which is a tremendous honour for the most special gymnasts. Disappointment
however, in only placing 65th all around, with a 7.825 on bars. She placed
22nd on both vault and floor however, a sound achievement. In Sydney, Annika's British team performed to their maximum and improved their world standing by one place to 10th. Three British gymnasts qualified for the all around final - Lisa Mason, Emma Williams and Annika ((her first all around at a World or Olympics). What a way to end her career! Unfortunately, Annika re-jarred her problematic ankle in the all around and had to withdraw after just the second apparatus. However, the injury was not serious, and she finished in 35th place. Satisfied with her acheivements, Annika has retired from gymnastics. Without a doubt she is Britain's most coveted and successful gymnast, and Team GB will miss this fantastic leader. She will always be remembered for putting British gymnastics on the world gymnastics map. |