TBGN: You seemed quite shocked to win the British Espoirs back in July. You were one of the youngest girls competing, but how much of a surprise was it, given that you had already had some impressive results in 2003?
ES: I had sore feet for a few months before the British and had not trained fully until two weeks before the British. My feet were still very sore and I was not landing any tumbles, vault and struggling to stay on the beam. So everyone wondered whether I would even compete when I got to Guildford. I was happy to have a go and all I wanted to do was go clean and come in the top twenty. Everyone was very surprised, especially me.

TBGN: What were you thinking as you prepared to go on beam in the lastrotation? Did you realize the position you were in?
ES: As I went onto beam I had no idea what my position was. I just knew I had gone clean so I felt that I would make the top 20.

TBGN: How did you celebrate your success?
ES: We had champagne in the hotel to celebrate and then when we got home some of our immediate family came to the house to celebrate.

TBGN: You did well in age group comps, but never quite made it into themedals. Suddenly, this year, you're the one to beat. What has made the difference? You seem a lot more calm and confident now.
ES: I don't know.
Emma's Mum: Emma takes every competition in her stride; she is no more calm or confident than at any other time. She never thinks that she is going to a competition to win, which I think is a wonderful asset. Her whole personality is laid back, happy and calm. She loves her gymnastics so that at the moment is her drive. I think!!!

TBGN: What has been your biggest disappointment in gymnastics?
ES: I can't think of anything that has disappointed me!

TBGN: What are the best and worst things about gymnastics?
ES: The best are the new moves when they are going well; the worst are the injuries and the frustrations that go with them.

TBGN: What is the best thing about City of Liverpool GC?
ES: The City of Liverpool GC is the only gym that I have ever attended and I enjoy working with my coach, Claire Duffy, and love being with my friends in my group. It's like a big family.

TBGN: What are you working on in the gym at the moment?
ES: I'm not working on anything new at the moment as I have been injured and grown a lot so I am struggling to get the moves that I already have back to perfection. So lots of basics.

TBGN: What are your short-term and long-term goals?
ES: Short term I have been invited to Hungary on a World Class Training Camp, so I want to work hard whilst there and benefit from any training tips I may learn there. Long term I would love to represent Great Britain at the Olympics in Beijing. I know there are lots of good people out there all wanting the same but I want to try.

TBGN: Many gymnasts have left the sport at about your age. Have you ever thought about giving up?
ES: At this point I've not thought about giving up.
Emma's Mum: Going on past experience from our gym it appears to be homework combined with peer pressure when they get to high school that makes or breaks them. At this present time Emma's love of gymnastics shows no sign of waning but who knows what another twelve months of schooling will do. She is not normally influenced by the crowd, but who knows.

TBGN: Finally, as the British Espoir Champion, what advice do you have for other young gymnasts?
ES: I can't think of anything, other than to work hard!