Ashleigh Brennan

        

The Victorian first caught the eye of many in the gymnastics world as a junior when she took out the under-12 division at the junior nationals in 2002. She went on to compete in her first international meet in 2004 in the USA where she placed seventh in the all around competition. Later in 2004, Ashleigh injured her left elbow which sidelined her for 12 months. At just 15 years of age, Ashleigh was selected in the 2006 Commonwealth Games team, winning silver on floor and helping Australia to a team gold medal.

Ashleigh was an integral member of the team that secured a spot in the Olympic Games by qualifying 6th at the 2011 World Championships in Japan. She made her Olympic debut in Beijing, her best result coming on floor (19th) where she helped Australia reach its best ever Olympic team result in finishing sixth. The team hope to replicate or better this at the 2012 London Olympic Games where Ashleigh will be a key member of the team in her second games.

After Beijing, Ashleigh took a year off from gymnastics to focus on completing her school studies and gain entry into university. She returned to competition in 2010 where she was a valuable member of the gold medal winning Australian Team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, also taking out the bronze medal on Floor.

Ashleigh is a member of the Victorian Institute of Sport', and the Victorian Womens High Performance Centre, coached by Misha Barabach and Tracey Penaluna

QUICK FACTS

Birthplace: Melbourne, VIC
Occupation: Student -Exercise and Sport Science (ACU)
Nickname: Ash
Sporting motto: Leave nothing undared
Most admired sportsperson: Zeena McLaughlin, and my team mates
Favourite sports team: St. Kilda (AFL), Australian Cricket team
Favourite music: Mainstream radio
Favourite movie/TV shows: Friends, How I Met Your Mother

TRAINING INFORMATION

Age began gymnastics and reason for starting: 7 - for fun and to get involved in sport
First Club: Berwick Leisure Centre
First Coach: Jacquie
Current Club: Victorian Women's High Performance Centre
Current Coach: Misha Barabach & Tracey Penaluna
Best apparatus: Beam
Favourite skill: Side somi on beam
Most difficult skill to learn:  

MOST SIGNIFICANT

Best National Performance: 2012 Australian Championships - 1st AA
Best International Performance: 2010 Commonwealth Games - Team gold, floor bronze
2006 Commonwealth Games - Team gold, floor silver
2008 Beijing Olympic Games 6th in team
Best Gymnastic Moment: Nomination for VIS Spirit Award
2006 Commonwealth Games, 2008 Beijing Olympics
 

NATIONAL RESULTS

Year Jun/Snr Team AA V UB BB
FX
2012 Senior 1st 1st 8th 6th 3rd 3rd
2011 Senior 1st 5th 5th 2nd 2nd
2010 Senior 1st - - - - -
2009 N/A - - - - - -
2008 Senior 1st 3rd - 3rd 3rd 2nd
2007 Senior 2nd 8th 16th 12th 4th 3rd
2006 Injured - - - - - -
2005 Injured - - - - - -
2004 Injured - - - - - -
2003 Junior U13 - 2nd 2nd 2nd 3rd 1st
2002 Junior U13 - 5th 4th 4th 6th 8th

 

INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

Year Event Team AA V UB BB FX
2012 Olympic Games, GBR 11th 20th - - - -
2012 Doha World Cup, QAT NA - - - 2nd 5th
2012 Gymnix International, CAN NA 3rd 8th   = 17th 3rd  2nd 
2011 World Championships, JPN 8th    53rd    27th 35th 
2011 Doha World Cup, QAT  NA  NA  NA  NA  2nd  2nd
2010 World Championships, NED 6th 147th - - 19th 24th
2010 Commonwealth Games, IND 1st - - - - 3rd
2008 Massilia Cup, FRA - 15th - 4th - -
2008 Olympic Games, CHN 6th 30th - 62nd 54th 19th
2008 Pacific Alliance, USA 4th 4th 4th =10th 7th 7th
2008 Golden State Classic, USA - 2nd 2nd 1st 4th 2nd
2007 World Championships, GER 11th - - - -
2007 Australia v Japan, AUS 1st 4th 8th 8th 5th 3rd
2007 Australia v China Apparatus Challenge, AUS - - - - 4th 4th
2006 Pacific Alliance, USA 5th - - 8th - -
2006 Commonwealth Games, AUS 1st - - - - 2nd
2005 Massilia Cup, FRA 10th 17th - 30th 3rd 4th
2005 AUS v ITA 2nd 2nd - - - -
2004 WOGA Classic, USA 2nd 7th - 8th 2nd -
 

Major Events

Commonwealth Games: 2006, 2010
World Championships: 2007, 2010, 2011
Olympic Games: 2008, 2012