2008 Women's Olympic Gymnastics All-Around Picks

Hopefuls from China, Romania, and Russia

Aug 14, 2008

Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin from the US are favored to win the all-around. If they falter, however, gymnasts like Nistor, Yang, Jiang, and Semenova could sneak by.

When it comes to difficulty and consistency, the two American gymnasts have proven that they are the best in the world. Shawn Johnson very rarely bobbles, and consistency in highly difficult routines is her trademark. However, some small errors in team finals showed that even she can succumb to nerves. Nastia Liukin also has seen some trouble, including a fall on bars, her best event, in qualifying. If these two perform solidly, they will win, but if they leave some room, several other gymnasts will be there to capitalize on their mistakes.

China Looks for More Gymnastics Gold with Yang Yilin and Jiang Yuanyuan

Jiang Yuanyuan could be China’s best hope for yet another medal in gymnastics, but nerves showed in qualifying when she had an unexpected fall on her vault, the same Yurchenko 2-1/2 that Johnson performs. Yang Yilin, however, was very steady in qualifying and qualified third for the all around to Jiang’s seventh.

Russia and Romanian Hopes: Steliana Nistor, Ksenia Semenova, and Anna Pavlova

Though Romania has fielded deep gymnastics teams in years past, putting them at an advantage for all around medals, this year their hope lies in one gymnast – Steliana Nistor. Competing with an injured back, Nistor will have to tough it through the competition and may be playing it safe, hoping for a fall from the Americans.

Russian gymnasts Ksenia Semenova and Anna Pavlova qualified fourth and fifth, but again would need a major mistake from at least one of the Americans for a shot at a medal. Pavlova is coming off a disappointing performance on floor in team finals, and will need to shake that off before Friday’s competition.

Strategy in the All Around: What to Watch

For Johnson, the major focus will simply be on landing all her skills and not letting nerves creep in, a task with which she tends to excel. Liukin will have to score big on bars to overtake her, and not make any mistakes on the other events. For the Chinese gymnasts, bars will also be crucial, and the home team advantage could help them on floor exercise. The lower-ranked gymnasts, needless to say, cannot afford any mistakes if they are to qualify. Solid landings, clean body positions, and smooth transitions between skills are all crucial.

The women's gymnastics individual all-around final takes place Friday at 11:15 am Beijing time (4:15 am GMT; 11:15 pm Thursday EDT).

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