Nastia Liukin will enter the individual all-around finals on Friday in second-place position, behind teammate Shawn Johnson. This is a familiar position for Liukin, who has finished second to Johnson in all but one major competition since Johnson became a senior in 2007. However, her artistry and clean lines appeal to international judges, and she has a good shot not only at the all-around but at medals on the event finals as well.
Growing Up and Gaining International Experience
Liukin was born in Moscow, to two former gymnasts. She and her parents moved to the US when she was only two, and as her parents were both coaches she grew up playing at the gym and began competing at age six. She reached the elite level at the age of twelve, and was undefeated as a junior competitor from 2003 to the beginning of 2005.
In 2005, at the US Classic, she became the first US gymnast to attempt a quadruple twist on floor exercise, and she finished the 2005 season with her first senior National title. She came in second to Chellsie Memmel at Worlds by only one one-thousandth of a point, and went on to win gold on the bars and beam. In 2006, she again won at Nationals, but an ankle injury forced her to compete only on bars at Worlds, earning a silver in the event final as well as team silver.
After surgery on her ankle, troubles in healing slowed her down in the 2007 season, during Johnson’s senior debut. She finished third at Nationals, and did not place in the all-around competition at Worlds, though she won team gold as well as gold on the balance beam.
2008 Gymnastics Season
After a difficulty upgrade, Liukin beat Shawn Johnson at the American Cup, and then finished second at Nationals and Olympic trials. Despite a fall on the uneven bars in the Olympic qualifying round, she qualified for the event finals as well as the all-around. In team finals, she performed solidly in three events aside from a step out of bounds on floor exercise. Nastia, aged eighteen, has an advantage over some of her competitors this season in experience as well as the difficulty of her bars routine. She is not a powerhouse tumbler like Johnson, but her artistry puts her in good stead with European judges.
Liukin’s Chances at Olympic Gold in the All Around and Event Finals
If Liukin wants to be all-around Olympic Champion, she cannot afford any errors. Her teammate Johnson is known for consistency and clean routines, which Liukin will have to match. Nerves could be a problem, and she will need to post big scores on bars and beam, as well as avoid any major errors, to win.
On the other hand, she has a very good shot at gold on the uneven bars. Like the Russians and the Chinese, she has very clean lines and high difficulty on that event. Her pirouettes and body position are something to watch for, and if she lands her release moves and dismount, a gold medal is likely. She also has a strong shot at gold on the balance beam.
References:
Nastia Liukin’s Official Website
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