Beijing 2008, Shawn Johnson's Gold BB Routine, Event Finals

[@danielatrindade5602]

This routine could still win gold today, easily. Shawn really had such a big impact in gymnastics and it’s crazy how it’s overlooked. And funny how she was outcasted as the muscly gymnast and now look at gymnasts today. Shawn really paved the way!

[@jenniferspears7074]

Kim Zmeskal, Brandy Johnson, and Kerri Strug were also powerhouse gymnasts that popularized the style. Daniela Silivas, Lavinia Milosovic, and Mary Lou Retton can’t be forgotten❤❤❤.

[@Saleigh]

She is gorgeous and a fit gymnast

[@Saleigh]

Kim zameskal was my fav growing up

[@Ian_Andre]

One of the most impressive routines on any apparatus ever.

[@gladysgreen2]

Totally agree! Ahead of her time really

[@ericschmid3985]

She’s done a video about this on her channel but she said that at that moment she’d done like 8 full practice sets in the warm up gym before competing that routine. Chow had her do them to make her brain turn off, she said. It’s insane to think that muscle memory won her an Olympic gold medal

[@stanley052380]

Eric Schmid thats how elite athletes were trained. You cant second guess a tiny bit in any of your elements, you need to attack each elements in a precise manner like a robot it should be done automatically specially during an Olympic event.

[@philiplieu3889]

I think she said she basically almost kind of blacked out and did it from muscle memory as you said. Pretty awesome

[@JennaLeigh]

@maseratic boychik you do realize you completely, baselessly attacked a completely different person, right? That wasn't the first person you needlessly attacked- that was someone else. Idk why you're so bitter and miserable that you have to bully strangers in the internet, but i hope things get better for you.

[@AndromedaAiken]

Liu Xuan apparently did the same thing before her 2000 BB EF routine. It was totally muscle memory at work. She had said she just wasn't thinking by then.

[@j0j0_369]

@Pia Tshering It's like watching someone unravel smh. Prayers sent to this person.

[@kathyd2595]

I really like how the Chinese gymnastics and coaches were there to give Shawn hugs. I have never noticed that before. I love the good sportsmanship!☮❤

[@Jen-lc5yc]

Yes. The Chinese national team back then trained part time at her gym in De Moines IA. They all seemed so nice to eachother.

[@rg1whiteywins598]

The Chinese really want to find their place in the world of Gymnastics. They are coming up. Their girls work hard.

[@nightflyer3242]

Shawn was the most popular foreign gymnast amongst Chinese fans during the 2008 Games due to her coach, her humbleness towards the hosts, and also her bubbly personality.

[@thegreenskittle]

@@nightflyer3242 Yeah! I think Nastia always looked more intimidating. In their video where they rewatched the Olympics, they talked about how scary Nastia's RBF was haha. Shawn definitely has a warmer vibe and you just wanna like her.

[@colecooper5836]

Its disappointing that sports are no longer a sanctuary free of politics.

[@donovanrobinson1843]

You can tell a gymnast that has been trained by chow their beam is difficult and has solid tumbling the full twist is impressive her and gabbys routines are chow’s genius

[@trudisify]

I just love the sound when she leaps on beam

[@kylenasseri4327]

Shawn Johnson will always be remembered

[@dilbertdoe601]

The landing makes the sound.

[@yahoo12345jojo]

0:10 0:17 0:25 0:33 0:46 0:54 0:59 1:13 1:31

[@Beth-1010]

She punches the beam soooo hard

[@teah507]

Yes! She is so solid and confident!

[@mikehallman5028]

This routine never gets old. Bravo Shawn. 😊

[@timothylee2772]

If this routine was performed in Paris 2024, it would easily win gold🥇

[@gailrothschild1]

And not a wolf turn in sight! Never get tired of watching this…

[@karlitoswwe]

@@renesotelo8295oh i’m doing good

[@matthewpargeter-villarreal3538]

And a L turn on a VERY high relevé! No one does that nowadays!

[@BusyBeeStitchery]

I hate the wolf turn, i think it’s ugly

[@mariedichoso-beavers42]

@@BusyBeeStitcheryI totally agree! I'd much rather see what Shawn did!

[@JB-kg3js]

@@BusyBeeStitcherymaybe if someone can execute it nicely, it might look pretty. But I agree every time I see a wolf turn it just looks so awkward and haphazard. Just not pretty.

[@HamzooPineda]

She is still the best in BB ever. This routine can still win her Gold today.

[@TheJakecakes]

Agree

[@1ACL]

I was wondering about that. Sure looked like she could win today! But what do I know?

[@temidawodu]

She would have to slightly ammend this routine though because of how the code of points has changed so much since 2008.

[@meganbarber3599]

She definitely looked better here than the gymnasts in Tokyo.

[@ibethtoapanta1646]

@@temidawodu porqué? No sé si tiene elementos que ya no se pueden usar ahora? Porque realmente he visto tantas competiciones pero ninguna rutina supera esta, ni las actuales. La gimnasia en Beijing qué nivel, tuvo de las puntuaciones más altas que he visto en juegos olímpicos superior a 16.000 no solo en una gimnasta sino en varias.

[@pam0626]

I love this routine. There was nothing superfluous, no distracting arm movements. Everything clean and precise.

[@vivienvn]

The thing I like the most about Shawn is she always smiled when she competed like she actually enjoyed what she was doing. Other gymnasts looked very tense.

[@nondescriptbeing5944]

I think it comes down to personality it is high pressure after all, so some will look serious/focused...like Nastia's RBF lol

[@dazem8]

nastia always looked pissed and kinda gave off a snobby vibe imo. almost as if she thought she was the best bc of her family lineage.

[@nondescriptbeing5944]

@@dazem8 her personality is wholly unlikeable haha. but admittedly I kind of like her gymnastics. sometimes.

[@hannlower]

@@dazem8 she always looked like she didn’t really want to be there

[@elizabeth5985]

Would you expect an archer to be smiling? or a high jumper? Or a sprinter? They're young, but they are fierce competitors and fierce, strong athletes who require intense focus. If they don't focus, they land on their heads and break their necks. Women and girls don't need to smile all the time. They are not there for other's entertainment.

[@melissalara523]

Ive seen a lot of beam routines and I havent seen a gymnast work the BB better than Shawn. She’s incredible

[@Lastfirst333]

Truth!

[@danceblues1713]

Love the sound of her sticking every tumbling element, even the leaps and turns were great. Thank you for posting this. 💝

[@lisajoye5721]

One of the best beam routines ever. Extraordinary execution and excellent delivery.

[@geekchick4859]

I love how she so warmly greets the Chinese team as well! So Shawn.

[@mariella2884]

That full twist never fails to make me hold my breath. It’s stunning.

[@trblcleft]

I think Shawn Johnson had the biggest influence on Simone Biles beam style. They are not identical but at their best they share some of the same strengths and challenges in terms of artistry. What I appreciate about Shawn is they way she makes it seem like she is in floor, not a flinch.

[@emilykelley4597]

Yes they are both very solid I noticed that too

[@punkrockstar]

Shawn is way better on beam.

[@MajorMajesticIce]

@@punkrockstar she was much more consistent!

[@ojk46]

@@MajorMajesticIce in 2008 yes. But look at her in the 2007 season…

[@SamanthaD89]

I agree both are small but very powerful as well

[@1teamski]

She deserves every bit of happiness that comes her way on life..

[@tomillakockingbird1754]

No different from any other human being that I know of.

[@1teamski]

@@tomillakockingbird1754 Jeffrey Dahmer included I assume?

[@M3rchantofD34th]

@@1teamski or for a closer to home example, Larry Nassar

[@maia9056]

Team Ski Ffs who said Dhamer? All @ToMilla Kockingbird said was, what makes her different from anyone else.

[@realbobduncan]

@@maia9056 nobody said anything made her different, but are we not allowed to praise and appreciate one specific person when they do something awesome?

[@paigeanne1325]

This is still the best balance beam routine I’ve ever seen period.

[@multixloves3072]

It’s kinda sad that Shawn doesn’t remember doing this routine. She was so exhausted it was all just muscle memory at this point.

[@littlesinga]

She also said she had a headache and stomachache that day.

[@G3minee]

I blacked out at my first kendo competition, shit myself and threw up before my match. It was a tiny arena and only a couple hundred people. IMAGINE THE OLYMPICS. Televised and judged by the masses. I’d die

[@allisonscanlan4144]

Exactly

[@meganbarber3599]

She doesn't? Wow. How sad.

[@Glenduhhhh]

Honestly that’s good y’all who don’t know gymnastics always say random stuff

[@rachiejw]

I could watch this 4 million times over this is one of the best beam routines I’ve ever seen

[@ShelleyFayles]

Same!

[@beamonkieable]

Amazing. 12 years later and I still love to watch this incredible routine ♥️

[@renesotelo8295]

Hello dear how are you doing 🌷🌷

[@thegreenskittle]

1:10 - my favorite part of her routine, even more than her opening tumbling series. Seeing her control of it is just amazing. Elfi has always said that this move reflects whether a gymnast is nervous or confident, so seeing Shawn do it so perfectly really shows that she was feeling centered despite the crazy amount of pressure she was under.

[@hugodaniel8975]

True. They say it's the easiest compulsory element on beam but many finalists lose balance doing it. Sorry for my english

[@micheledowning1199]

My favorite too! The control there is just unreal. I think it was the best performed element of the entire routine.

[@trinalittlefield6294]

She stays on pointe after she finishes the turn even. It's one of my favorite elements too she does it so well.

[@venanciopaixao]

The golden medal was extremely deserved … very acrobatic focused and on point 🔥

[@thegreenskittle]

I'm so happy she got a gold. She said she was prepared to get a silver b/c she kept getting them (team, AA, floor), but she's so good at this event, and that triple tumble is like her signature move and is just so fun to watch! The craziest thing is she was a FT high school student and trained only 26h/week (65% of Nastia's 40hr).

[@natiwati7878]

I love how strong yet elegant she looks on beam, and with such grace as well, and the fact that everything she does is so smooth just makes the routine 10x better

[@saragrant9749]

Thank you!! So many people complain that she wasn’t elegant, but this was elegance at its finest. Not a waver, unnecessary and silly looking arm waving or anything- just calm and collected element presentation.

[@runninggirl2765]

I love how Shawn and her coach smile and talk and laugh. It's what it's all about: Enjoyment and doing your best!

[@trendymaths2467]

Shawn looked so tiny in this. To think she has a small baby now!

[@easytoslip]

large baby lol Drew's a big mushy marshmallow baby ♥

[@trendymaths2467]

easytoslip ha ha yes. 😆

[@trendymaths2467]

Star Tetrahedron yes me too but I hope she doesn’t get pressured to do it just because her mother was so successful at it.

[@trendymaths2467]

Star Tetrahedron yeah for sure! Regardless of what she chooses, she’s going places. With that adorable face how could she not? 😊💜

[@maryli2049]

Shut up

[@JRZGRL55]

Shawn Johnson & Alexandra Raisman are my absolute favorite gymnasts. Love them both so much!

[@Handle-cy2hb]

Me too!! Humble sweethearts who worked their butts off for their team.

[@MrMartinportnoy]

I love the way her competitors and their coaches congratulate her. If you watch old stuff from the 70s you can see the Soviets and Romanians in the same situation, just plain ignoring one another...

[@MelissaBrogan_asciident]

It was the Chinese team congratulating her. They were emotionally invested in Shawn because of Chow. She's mentioned it a little on her channel.

[@Jen-lc5yc]

@@MelissaBrogan_asciident I believe the Chinese national team also trains sometimes in Chow's gym. I heard it mentioned in some other broadcast

[@moncsa80]

I think there may have been some history too in those time... as even though Romania was in the eastern block they did not really appreciate the Soviets (no one really did). This obviously came out in sports too where they were competitors, especially in team sports....:)

[@admetric]

They did not speak a common language and were not really allowed to talk or do much. Solo as have an interview recently and said as much. It was a different world.

[@nightflyer3242]

@@MelissaBrogan_asciident Shawn was also the most popular foreign gymnast during the games. The Chinese loved her.

[@foroneness8190]

The smile, joy and sheer admiration of her coach is so cute. I've lost count of how many times I've watched this routine. Both her and nastia are amazing gymnasts.

[@homespunhomefragrance5659]

Love her reaction to the score. So happy she stayed on top. She deserved to be an Olympic gold medalist and she got it! ❤️

[@katielizfmedic18]

I could watch that routine every day, shes just a cutie pie and so confident and solid! Now she's married and a mama...just love her!!

[@mikeroland1919]

Hello katie?

[@emilyvickery8081]

One of my favourite beam routines to watch! Thoroughly enjoyable. Not rushed and no arms constantly waving about. Lots of tricks, confident.

[@ursulakruger5038]

One of my favorite gymnast. Loved that smile, she was amazing.

[@oscarpedroso9958]

Truly one of the best beam routines in history I just always seem to come back to this routine and watch it to ease my mind. It's perfection in motion.

[@HelloKattz]

That full twist on the beam is amazing.

[@dannydanielsnyc]

I felt that her chest was down too low . But amazing still

[@SG-mw1ey]

Gutsu did this in 1990 and a more difficult mount and dismount

[@danielledraper3550]

Does this make anyone else emotional !! She killed this

[@johnfinlon4360]

What a beautiful routine on the beam. Shawn Johnson demonstrates some of the trickiest tricks on the balance beam. Wow.

[@joyams]

ive watched this routine like 25 times and still loving it

[@davidlear7927]

Still the best beam routine I've ever seen.

[@donaldholderdoc2910]

Rewatching this young "child" it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that she's married and very, very soon will be the mother of two little ones of her own.

[@mikej3187]

Well deserved Shawn...your beam routine is fierce .

[@carlacaires6477]

That was a beautiful exercise. And it was also beautiful to see Shawn Johnson and the Chinese gymnasts greet each other at the end...

[@auggiedoggiesmommy1734]

This kid had SO much pressure on her. The publicity before he olympics was insane. She was just so cute and it was all about how she was going to win every gold there was to win.

[@beckykent6674]

Wow these beam routines are so much better than the ones now, even with Simone. I love her but this routine is so much harder and was perfect!!

[@darlyreyes9333]

Watching the Paris 2024 olympic and Shawn Johnson will still win gold.

[@saragrant9749]

It likely would have still, yes. Some routines have not aged well in terms of connection bonus, but this has. Incredible.

[@alexdoesntsurf]

The scoring methodology has changed.

[@saragrant9749]

@@alexdoesntsurf it has, yes. This still has the difficulty and connection value to contend for gold however.

[@sweetsuite498]

This was such a nice event. All that genuine sportsmanship is great to see in competition. Chinese and American competitors looking happy to be there and supporting each other. Amazing!

[@bergercookie]

Absolute queen 👑 wow her confidence is so powerful. Watch how much hands free tumbling she does with ease like she’s flying and has complete control on that beam. So impressive at 16 years old. Shawn is an icon 💖

[@Lastfirst333]

Has anyone ever done better than this? Queen of the beam!!!!!

[@MrJbee1982]

Catalina Ponor

[@MsColtonJ]

There's been MANY performances on beam way better than this one. Shannon Miller in '96 to start. Lillia P in Atlanta, etc.

[@MrJbee1982]

@@MsColtonJ not even close, sorry. Shawn's difficulty was way higher

[@saragrant9749]

Along with Sanne Wevers in 2016, one of my all time favorite beam routines- both were done with so much seeming casualness and calm, not a waver.

[@tori6741]

I've watched this many times and it kills me every time, so does the Gold medal smile. 🤸‍♀️💖

[@christopherdiscenza4937]

I marvel at the unfussiness of this routine. Most other gymnasts do annoying hand and leg gestures while Shawn just jumps on and racks up the points!!

[@stomachfat]

Thank you for validating me

[@stomachfat]

And invalidating the girl I'm seeing who is a former gymnast < 3

[@adde9506]

As hokey as the dance moves are, they're usually a requirement.

[@waspian]

But this routine is so ugly to watch.

[@ShelleyFayles]

@@waspian it's AMAYZING to watch!

[@Lina_al_j]

ive seen this so many times and im sure I will watch it again! one of my all time favorites

[@mikeroland1919]

Hello Linda?

[@ayakotami3318]

The sound of her landing on the beam. Oddly satisfying actually. The power of her feet landing on the beam. This is actually my favorite routine in Woman's Gymnastics along with the Uneven Bars.

[@kye.7cf]

It’s been more than 10 yrs since I first watched this but it’s still funny to me how Shawn and Chow give off the same warm and friendly vibe while Nastia and her dad give off the same serious and focused vibe😂

[@tatilalima2874]

Eu amo a conexao dos dois

[@bellarose5978]

I think the fact that Nastia was about to compete plays into that.

[@LelandTilden]

Amazing. That leap into the layout series is killer

[@michaelhart7282]

the Flipside I mean yeah The landings were great but Shawn is basically on her head during the layout stepout

[@LelandTilden]

Michael Hart I’m okay with that haha - although just as an aside, give me Catalina ponor on beam all day 🔥🔥🔥

[@michaelhart7282]

the Flipside yeah she is an iconic beam queen for generations to come

[@fatmanvidz]

Met her and her husband last week. AWESOME people!!!

[@chrisbordoni8276]

Shawn Johnson is my all time favorite gymnast! I love watching The East Fam videos. Shawn & Andrew are an awesome couple & Drew is adorable!💕

[@r.m.2737]

Almost the Perfect beam routine. I think this will be always in the memories of gymnastics lovers.

[@TomMcHugh-l4v]

IMO, this is the start of the transition to the more athletic gymnastics we see today. Loved watching Johnson and Liukin in that era.

[@SKang023]

Shawn and suni lee this year had similar balance beam routine I have noticed. Well meaning when Shawn Johnson did hers back in 2008 I mean suni lee was kind of similar to Shawn Johnson’s from 2008 Olympics.

[@DeeDeeK96]

I know scoring is different these days, and thr capabilities of today's athletes are still outstanding and insane. But theres judt something so satisfying about watching old gymnastics videos. They performed the skills so cleanly and fluidly (which must have required more training and caused extra stress), whereas today i feel like moves are okay to be a bit disjointed (not sure if this is the right word). The old way of performing is more visually appealling.

[@brandi66RN]

Incredible how she stuck all of those two footed landings. She nailed it!

[@brandi66RN]

Those are tough and I love the solid sound they make when she lands them!

[@valerieh5400]

Total badass. I love seeing these old clips of her come up on my KZbin.

[@semievilsquirrel]

Kind of nice to go back and see a graceful beam routine. I miss the variety we used to see, too....

[@JRKLL]

To me, this is the best beam routine ever! Perfect👏👏👋👋👋

[@Lastfirst333]

I agree!

[@frannaadams9476]

This young lady was a beast 💪 on beam. I haven't seen a routine this good.

[@ninasnyman]

I still love this routine. So talented!

[@ja2165]

Those tumbling passes on the beam… so impressive

[@rachels2900]

I am addicted to the Olympics. Gymnastics is my favorite. She was beautiful. When she won I was so happy. My mom and I watched this together.

[@mikeroland1919]

Hello?

[@renesotelo8295]

Hello dear how are you doing 🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@mikeroland1919]

@@renesotelo8295 how are you ?

[@renesotelo8295]

@@mikeroland1919 am good what about you

[@mikeroland1919]

@@renesotelo8295 am fine thanks dear , what country are you from ?

[@andredicenna]

The most complex, difficult and nailed beam routine in history! Score: 16.225, even Simone Biles would be in second place 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@samperez1727]

You can't compare scores between them. Shawn Johnson got to count 10 skills in her difficulty score vs 8 for Biles because of rule changes. Also, execution scores have significantly tightened since 2008; it would be unthinkable to reach a 9.0+ in execution with modern era standards.

[@leykimayri]

@@samperez1727With today’s standards this routine would be slaughtered in artistry deductions. Plus everything else, she wouldn’t get more than 7.0 in execution, 7.5 in judges were feeling really giving that day…..

[@lucasherissontrindade9888]

I came of the future to say: I never watched a routine like this yet! Thanks Shawn You were the greatest ever!

[@punkrockstar]

Way better than the gymnast of recent years. 2008 marks the point when gymnastics started declining. 91-08 was incredible.

[@joho9815]

I think that's the best beam routine I've ever seen.

[@ceecee9209]

Gorgeous! Love this performance MORE each time I watch it!!!

[@filipinoarchmage5793]

Who came here after her Gold Medal Unboxing video? I have so much respect for her after she said that she was sick just before she competed for the Beam Final and she still secured her gold. Amazing woman.

[@JustMe-cr6rd]

Poetry in motion and she's still going strong, lovely family and the fun competitions with her husband are fun to watch.

[@steveharris1740]

I am in awe anytime so watch a beam routine. How did she do that back flip with a twist and land back on the beam. It just doesn’t even make sense...just amazing concentration, power, and body control.

[@ninayang9097]

She’s soooooooo freaking good. Amazing slips and stunts

[@dannymorgan7252]

She was on one with this routine. She said she completely blacked out mentally while doing this

[@Pagliaccimr1]

Such a difficult routine! So much power and precision. Unequaled to this day. Love watching it!

[@LuisGarcia-or7cn]

One of my favorite athletes from the past love her such a beautiful aura and great gymnastic

[@MsMockingbird06]

Still my favorite beam performance at any Olympics. She was so SOLID!

[@my_cozylife.]

and now she just gave birth and has 2 kids❤️

[@Ash_xoxo]

Ikr. To crazy!

[@armygirl85fuckhitler74]

And all the sexual abuse these girls had to go through!!!! It's powerful watching them all over again

[@aboghepaubamarilyn6493]

😮cette enchaînement (routine) à la poudre jusqu'aujourd'hui vaudrait de l'or quelque soit le podium : olympique ou mondial❤❤

[@ahavens2463]

Shawn is the beam queen.

[@thesportsguy3609]

Best beam routine I've ever seen.

[@jhaysonryanncorpuz817]

This is the best routine of all time.

[@nancywood9531]

That's our girl from Iowa....whole state was proud of her. 🎖🎖🎖

[@cindyvining7866]

I forgot how good she was. Amazing.

[@mikeroland1919]

Hello Cindy?

[@Turtlegirl4]

This is my favorite beam routine.

[@lindakirsch1193]

She was awesome in competition.

[@CRAFT7445]

I have a hard time walking on uneven sidewalks.

[@rhyleighrenegar397]

I love Shawn Johnson

[@TheWendolGuild]

in case you were wondering this is what a hero looks like...

[@christianhoneyman9001]

No wonder she won gold. That was truly a gold medal performance. 😀😃😄😁😊

[@miguelQR]

2020 with Coronavirus and still feels the same emotion.

[@honeygraham01]

One of the best gymnasts of all time!

[@Tiffany-Rose]

That was one of the burliest routines ive seen on beam! wow 🙌🙌

[@missysample4486]

She is just so awesome! She has grown into a remarkable young woman, wife and mother as well. It seems that everything she touches turns to gold!!!🤗

[@katiejanegoode5278]

That tuck is insane