Shawn Johnson – US Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson - pictures and video below – won the all-around title at 2007 World Gymnastic Championships and is favored to win a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Shawn Johnson smiling after winning 2007 World Gymnastic Chamionship

For Shawn Johnson, 2007 was a watershed year. In her first season on the senior gymnastic level, Shawn won every major meet she entered including the American Cup, the Visa Championship, and the World Championship. 

Shawn performing on the balance beam

Shawn is a powerful gymnast at just 4′ 9″ and 90 pounds, plus she exudes confidence and has a radiant smile that makes her a fan favorite, unlike 18-year old teammate Nastia Liukin who seems to always glower at the newcomer who usurped her as America’s top Olympic hope.

Shawn Johnson USA Olympic team gold medal favorite

Edged out by Liukin at the 2008 American Cup after Johnson fell due to slightly over-rotating her more complicated vault, but then mounted a furious comeback to almost win anyway, Shawn was obviously the favorite of all the fans.

Shawn also quickly became a favorite of her coach, former Chinese gymnastic team co-captain Liang Chow, shortly after walking into his brand new gymnastics training center in Des Moines, Iowa as an energetic 6-year old.

Liang Chow and Shawn Johnson were named 2007 coach and athlete of the year by US Gymnastics

“This kid had something extra,” he said. “She loved gymnastics. She loved to work out. She loved to be in the gym. She wanted to learn, and to get better. She took correction so well. She would ask for correction. And she was very strong physically.”

Just two years after bring his 13-year old protege to the attention of US team coach Martha Karolyi, they were named USA Gymnastics’ 2007 national athlete and coach of the year after Shawn won every senior meet she entered, something that’s never been done before by anyone else.

Johnson also became only the fourth American woman to win the all-around gold at the 2007 World Championship, joining former Olympians Kim Zmeskal, Shannon Miller and Chellsie Memmel.

Shawn Johnson Video Clips

Winning 2007 World Gymnastics Championship

Shawn Johnson and Parents – May 2007 Interview

Shawn Johnson on Ellen

Next up for Shawn:
U.S. Visa Championships in Boston, June 5-7
U.S. Olympic Trials in Philadelphia, June 19-22
Olympic Games in Beijing, August 8-24

And that’s the latest news, pictures, and video of US Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson.

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