USA Gymnasts Take Gold & Silver In All-Around Competition

Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Alicia Sacramone, and Chellse Memmel of Team USA gymnastics

Straight outta’ the latest Vogue issue, meet the stars of your USA women’s Olympic gymnastic team, reppin’ our awesome country to the fullest in Beijing, China. Yesterday evening (Friday in CH) was the all-around competition, and American’s Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson topped the podium with gold & silver respectively, turning up the excitement for all who witnessed the mesmerizing show–a graceful blend of powerfully-fit human bodies with elite gymnastic abilities, ultimately resulting in an intense, sweaty battle for glory amongst those who possess the greatest talent, worldwide.

Liukin finished with 63.325 points, a mere six-tenths ahead of Johnson, the reigning world champion who beat Liukin at the U.S. championships and Olympic trials only a few weeks ago. Yang Yilin of China won the bronze.

“I don’t think it’s really set in, but I feel like this journey has been so long. It’s amazing, I am kind of speechless right now,” Liukin said. “Standing on the podium and hearing `Olympic champion’ next to my name was a dream come true. Everything pays off at this very moment.” Nastia’s journey was made even longer by having to wait for Johnson to follow her on the floor exercise. Anticipation...wowsers!

Gold medalist and 18-year-old Nastia Liukin isn’t the only family member to achieve Olympic glory. Her father, Russian-born Valerie Liukin took double gold’s 20 years back while representing the former Soviet Union. Her mother is also a world-ranked top rhythmic gymnastic champ! In her blood, but of course. Nastia barely edged teammate and reigning world champ, 16-year-old Shawn Johnson.

“I gave my heart and soul to the competition,” said Johnson, who beat Liukin by .4 points in the prelims (scores are erased for the all-around final). “Nastia’s been around a while, she has a lot of experience, and she deserved the gold.”

Chipper with a silver medal, Ms. Johnson hopes to press on in the sport until the 2012 games, when she’ll be at the ripe (not very old) age of 20. (There was, after all, a 33-year-old German competitor this year).