THERE’S not many people who can say they have an historic achievement under their belts, but Swindon is the home town of just one such person.

This summer, JADE FAULKNER was part of the first Great Britain rhythmic gymnastics squad ever to compete at an Olympics.

Faulkner played her part in an arduous qualification process - in which GB were rightly put through following an appeal - subsequently performing at Wembley Arena.

GB might have finished last, but in a country with no historical success in the sport, Faulkner and her teammates laid the foundations and inspired future generations.

Judo starlet STEPH WALKER enjoyed a great start to the year but reserved her best for later.

Aged 14, Walker won silver at the Commonwealth Judo Championships for cadets in Cardiff, and she also struck gold at the North West Open and the Northen Ireland Open.

The Swindon judoka also took top spot in the West of England Closed Championships for the fourth year running.

However, her best display was reserved for the Venray International in the Netherlands, where she won gold in the -44kg category.

Picking up medals on the national stage was just a small part of the achievements of KEELEIGH CHAPMAN in 2012.

The Swindon Harrier scooped two silver medals at the Welsh Under 17 National Outdoor Championships in the 80m hurdles and 300m hurdles.

And as if that wasn’t enough, she beat a club record held by skeleton bob world champion Shelley Rudman dating back 15 years.

She achieved this at Yate Sprints & Hurdles Festival, clocking 45.49 seconds for the 300m hurdles.

Chapman’s clubmate MORGAN GASCOIGNE was certainly not lacking in success herself in 2012.

The long and triple jump ace was in stunning form throughout, with her prolific season included a clean sweep of titles in her two events at the South West Schools’ Championship.

She also broke the Wiltshire long jump record that had stood for four decades and was selected as county captain for the English Schools’ Championships.

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Jade Faulkner (gymnastics) 0907

Steph Walker (judo) 0908

Keeleigh Chapman (athletics) 0909

Morgan Gascoigne (athletics) 0910

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