Check out photographs of Shawn Johnson in action
Find out all about Johnson's appearances on Dancing with the Stars
Shawn Johnson had one of the best rookie seasons ever recorded in 2007. In her first year as a senior competitor, she won the all-around at the American Cup, Pan-American Games, US National Championships and World Championships.
Johnson led the 2008 US Olympic team to a silver medal, then won silvers individually in the all-around finals and floor finals. She finally struck gold in the beam finals.
Cool Skills:
Johnson did some of the toughest skills being performed in gymnastics. She has competed a 2.5-twisting Yurchenko, a standing full (back flip with a full twist) on beam, a tucked double-double (two flips with two twists) on floor, and a double-twisting double layout off of bars.Training Schedule:
Johnson is unique among elite gymnasts: she only trained 20-25 hours a week when preparing for the Olympics and other major competitions. Most elites spend closer to 40 hours in the gym each week.Did You Know?:
Johnson has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and was a presenter at Frosted Pink, a breast cancer benefit show on television. In Iowa, October 17th was deemed “Shawn Johnson Day” by Governor Chet Culver. She's also been pictured on McDonald's cups and Coca-Cola boxes.Most recently, Johnson won the AAU Sullivan Award and was the champion on the eighth season of the hit reality show Dancing with the Stars. (Watch her on DWTS and see full coverage of this.)
Personal Info:
Born on January 19, 1992 in Des Moines, IA, Johnson is the only child of Doug and Teri Johnson.While training for the Olympics, Johnson attended Chow’s Gymnastics, and was coached by Liang Chow and Liwen Zhuang.
Johnson’s Favorites:
- School Subject: English
- Hobbies: scrapbooking and walking dogs at a local animal shelter
- Gymnast: Kim Zmeskal
- Athlete in Another Sport: Lance Armstrong
- Food: steak and chicken kabobs, strawberries
- Book: You Go Girl!, by Kim Doren and Charlie Jones
Gymnastics Results:
International:- 2008 Olympics: 2nd team; 2nd all-around; 1st beam; 2nd floor
- 2008 Tyson American Cup: 2nd all-around; 1st vault, 2nd bars, 1st beam; 1st floor
- 2007 World Championships: 1st team; 1st all-around; 1st floor
- 2007 Pan American Games: 1st team; 1st all-around; 1st bars; 1st beam; 2nd floor
- 2007 Tyson American Cup: 1st all-around
- 2006 Junior Pan American Games: 1st team; 1st all-around; 2nd bars; 1st beam; 2nd floor
- 2006 Pacific Alliance Championships (Jr. Division): 1st team; 1st all-around; 1st vault; 2nd beam; 1st floor
- 2008 US Olympic Trials: 1st all-around; 2nd vault; 4th bars; 1st beam; 1st floor
- 2008 Visa Championships (US Nationals): 1st all-around; 2nd beam; 1st floor
- 2007 Visa Championships (US Nationals): 1st all-around; 3rd bars; 1st beam; 1st floor
- 2006 Visa Championships (US Nationals – Jr. Division): 1st all-around; 1st vault; 2nd bars; 1st beam; 1st floor
- 2006 US Classic: 1st all-around; 2nd vault; 3rd beam (tie); 2nd floor
- 2005 Visa Championships (US Nationals – Jr. Division): 10th all-around; 4th vault
- 2005 US Classic: 3rd all-around; 3rd beam
Check out photographs of Shawn Johnson in action
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