Shawn Johnson - Balance Beam - 2008 Visa Championships - Women - Day 1

Score: 16.000 - June 5, 2008 - Agganis Arena - Boston, Mass.

[@soxnation1000]

IMO Shawn is the best beam worker ever. The insane acro series, the standing full, the front pike, later skills done 3 in a row, then double full dismount. The sound the beam makes when she lands...just awesome.

[@adamprime5843]

She was pulling a bit of a face like an immersed violin virtuoso. But she's not alone. Have to respect that complete result though. More should learn about the technicalities and variations of the sport but like learning musical notations, unless you have a good reason; it will either give you an unnatural strain or put you to sleep.

[@myerklamb8529]

As far as tumbling goes, Shawn is #1 by a mile. Her split leaps lack some flexibility and height, which holds her back a little. Shes definitely top 3 all time and arguably #1.

[@mariejae]

My toes! Ouch.

[@thegreenskittle]

late but agree! I also think in 2008, she was the best AA'er by a shade, even though Nastia did win fair and square by coming at it with a huge bar routine. But at least she got a gold on beam final :)

[@ismaelespinosa3107]

@@adamprime5843 bbbbvbvb

[@abispear]

This is just so solid! It is absolutely beautiful! I miss the Shawn & Nastia days!!

[@aboubacarsylla371]

O real

[@kavitagotur5549]

llo

[@WatchYourAttitude]

I've seen this routine before and it still blows my mind how perfect and confident she is. It's just perfection to watch her on beam.

[@tbhwityouman9298]

Hi it’s 2019 I just thought it was cool that this comment was from 5 years ago

[@danemeintjes6934]

Ikr

[@aaronsandman749]

What's funny is according to her this isn't perfection. She said she "saved almost every skill" meaning she was off balance and flexed like crazy or adjusted mid air. Lmao. Makes me wonder what actual perfection would look like according to Shawn :P.

[@hey_im_jojo32]

@@aaronsandman749 She said that ab her beam routine at the olympics not this💀

[@nathalieng8079]

@@aaronsandman749 That was her Olympics EF routine

[@wilhelmina8843]

I’m coming to this 15 years later but I can’t stop watching this. I even watch it in slow motion. She is steady as a rock.

[@dfghg2717]

My friends: why do you like gymnastics? Me: The noises of the beam is so...satisfying

[@ItzKatieRoleplays]

SAMEEEE

[@jaclynrachellec]

Are*

[@gracieaziabor6696]

facts

[@Emily-vs9ju]

Literally took the words outta my mouth...!!! Love the duf duf sound

[@unhommequicourt]

? It sounds like a train riding rails.

[@elizabethensslin6684]

you can just tell that she’s not even thinking. her eyes are glazed over, mouth slightly open in concentration. textbook definition of muscle memory here

[@m.0186]

Yep

[@eurekamreum5458]

That's how she won the gold medal in Beijing, Chow made her do like 8 repetitions of this routine in order to shut her brain off and let the muscle memory work its magic.

[@dana4751]

That's a master. Really

[@jordanm7132]

@@eurekamreum5458 it wasn’t this routine bc this is day one, the routine where he made her go over and over again right before she went on was the very last day of competition, and it was her last routine of the Olympics ever

[@awajaw8184]

MARIAMA

[@anazaeid]

My favorite gymnast of all time.

[@vashflech]

agree

[@ItzKatieRoleplays]

Role* xD?

[@emimcbride]

anazaeid i 100% agree. 💯

[@evelynlissa]

For me too😍

[@theresa42213]

anazaied ~ YEP! She's one of mine TOO! l cant say who's my favourite, cuz l've been watching since Olga! Too dang many!!!

[@lucasglech1]

This is simply the best beam routine ever

[@renarsspons]

No-one is this solid on beam while maintaining such high difficulty. Not even Simone. Shawn really is one of the greatest beam workers of all time, even by today's standarts. So happy she managed to do a good routine in Beijing and won gold. Would've been a real shame if she hadn't hit it when it counts the most.

[@saragrant9749]

Indeed. Unlike many routines from the past several years this one has aged incredibly well and would STILL contend for gold today.

[@madameblavatsky2345]

simone sucks on beam. she doesn't have half the grace of nastia or the precision that Shawn has

[@HiDarronB]

Shawn SLAYED this beam routine!! That's why she's the 2008 Olympic gold medalist on this event.

[@sommynoks3941]

Nobody does a routine like this anymore. Not even Simone.

[@soxnation1000]

Agree, Simone is GOAT overall but Shawn was GOAT on beam

[@mocneeuq]

Well because during Shawn's quad, more skills are counted. Ofcourse Simone or other gymnast would not be able to do a routine like this Because of that reason LOL

[@slurpeeplayzz_9071]

Have you heard of Annie bratayley

[@lovefamilyssjlovefamilyssj3756]

Yes I have on bratayley

[@amaliaturner6834]

Sommy Nnoka have you heard of Annie of bratayley flippin Katie Whitney bjerkin and so many more

[@nikkib5753]

That is the MOST perfect beam routine I've EVER seen. Every single move she did, she landed standing completely straight WITHOUT one wobble or balance check whatsoever. Unbelievable!!! Simply stunning! 🌟🏆

[@Georgiaa]

Shawn is an amazing beam worker, quite similar to Simone in terms of build and the way they tackle the beam. Amazing.

[@nathan10120]

Yes but Simone does something that Shawn will never do: balance checks

[@sumsumcorda8]

i prefer shawn, she´s really good here

[@artlover8009]

I prefer Shawn

[@harrylawrence5728]

Simone has nothing on Shawns beam work

[@demonsalwayswin]

This beam is not only perfect because of huge combination of skills, but she doesn't do a single balance check at all. What a legend!

[@TheAirynDolce]

It’s 2019 and my first time seeing this. This is by far the CLEANEST beam routine I’ve ever seen!🙌🏾

[@danielatrindade5602]

Best beam worker EVER.

[@el7jake]

She was superhuman. She walked, leaped, and tumbled across the beam and landed like she was landing on the floor itself. She may have had to quit earlier than she wanted to, but her legacy is as solid as she was in that routine.

[@deenibeeni3938]

In. Credible. Those turns...I can't even do one standing in my kitchen.

[@firdausifarahramadhania8645]

Denise Di Salvo me too😂

[@MerlinaRodas]

Ahahah same

[@starlighty8888]

she makes the beam sound like it’s singing and it’s so satisfying

[@miaroca6849]

Whaaaaat??????!!!! Her form, her acro skills, the fact that she is super solid and didn’t wobble once, really everything about this Beam routine was amazing. 🤩

[@jessicawinkler7537]

Shawn Johnson was always the name of gymnastics when I was younger. I never appreciated her skill until my daughter started gymnastics and now I know just how insanely skilled she was. The amount of control she has is unreal.

[@ULibby]

Every time I hear them say something about her leaps it drives me nuts. Every still shot I have ever seen of her in the air on beam and floor she always makes 180 if not more. It's like she's just so short and quick that our human eyes miss it or something.

[@soxnation1000]

Yeah. It's bull. Whenever Nastia didn't hit 180 on her switch leaps, it was just ignored because Nastia "looks" more flexible

[@rockymcduffie8603]

Elizabeth Urbanowski It's actually a huge problem she had in Beijing. She never got her full start value throughout the entire competition. Tim Dagget might be annoying but he has a better understanding of the international judges mindset than Al and Elfie

[@johnlibbywelling2806]

Hate You I know they did that and of course I know Al and Elfie are lame but the international judges shouldn't have been taking those points off she really hits all of them like I was saying, look at any of her stills they were wrong to take points fom her for that.

[@rockymcduffie8603]

Honey Shawn is a very good gymnast and I appreciate you trying to defend her athleticism but it is very obvious she doesn't hit her leaps. The reason Shawn had a hard time finding gold in Beijing was because of this. It's a huge deduction in SV and Execution because it split positions are considered a very basic skill. While Shawn does some of the HARDEST tumbling of the 08 quad, her leaps are atrocious. I know level 7 gymnasts with better leaps than her. They tore her apart in Beijing for it and rightfully so. What kind of serious international elite gymnast can't hit a split?

[@ItzKatieRoleplays]

+r. mcduffie Alot of gymnasts actually. She does hit them just not ALWAYS on the beam. She made a mistake but she can do them on floor so she is just not good at them on beam. And that's perfectly fine. LIke Nastia wouldn't do back tumbling as much as she should have. DOesn't mean she's a bad gymnast. You're just being a bad person for being so rude to her.

[@nealbennett4950]

I have been watching gymnastics for over 50 years and to watch her and read just a few of the comments just proves to me she is the best ever with Ohashi . I'm convinced that they are the best .

[@cwatt003]

Shawn Johnson is an amazing gymnast. My name is Savannah, I am 8 years old. When I grow up I want to be like Shawn. I believe she is the best gymnast ever! I watch a few videos of her everyday. She inspires me. :)

[@mjwife5481]

Hey just wanted to see if u perused I dreams u are now 14 I’m 14 aswell just wanted to know

[@aaliyahmichael8853]

How are you?

[@kristaw2686]

After hearing Shawn's interviews about how much she was internally struggling during this time in her life, I watch these videos with so much respect for her inner strength. To be able to perform at that level while going through so much internal stress is so amazing to me. She is one tough lady!

[@stephaniel2850]

Gahh I always forget just how much of a freaking BEAST Shawn was on beam!! Simone is of course unreal, but my gosh, Shawn nailed every single one of those tumbling passes and landings so solidly she made it look like nooothing! Not a single solitary little wobble or balance check.

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Nearly flawless. One of the best beam routines I've ever seen. And what beautiful muscular legs she has and good pointe. And it's not a cookie cutter routine. It's one for the ages.

[@marcushamner5994]

Shawn Johnson is one of my favorite gymnasts! She and her husband Andrew are great parents! I like the Fierce Five from 2012 and 2016 too! I like Shawn’s Yourube channel too! She’s is really beautiful too😊😍😘👊🏾🌹💍

[@renesotelo8295]

Hello dear how are you doing 🌷🌷🌷

[@saragrant9749]

This routine would still be gold medal material today with the current code of points, which most could not say. Just remarkable connections and combinations- and the most insane tumbling ever. You are spot on.

[@hyl1265]

No one is better on beam than SHAWN, even till 2021

[@vidyarai2047]

This routine still blows my mind. The choreography is super perfect. No awkward skills moment. Just a super perfect beam routine. ❤️

[@margaux-mv2ww]

It's just insane. I've never seen a balance beam that perfect. No hesitation, it's so impressive, her performance is just incredibly perfect. Shawn is without any doubt one of the best gymnast I've ever seen performing

[@Tigerheiress]

nastia is more fluid but shawn is for sure the better gymnast

[@samanthasherman6750]

do you mean fluent

[@yolandasimpson9288]

+Samantha Sherman no, fluid

[@dionneirish926]

Virginsuicde i agree

[@sM-qp5lb]

agreed

[@brucedienst7553]

But nastia won

[@hannahrachelxo2281]

Still one of the best back with a fulls.. Ever!! I will always think "Beam" when I think of her.

[@chloenkitty]

Gymnastics aren’t what they use to be. The girls back then were extraordinary and so were the routines.

[@evadatemmienohner7875]

Beam scares me so much and then I watch this and I'm like... WTF AM I AFRAID OF! SHE LITERALLY JUST DID A BACK TUCK WITH A FULL TWIST AND LANDED IT PERFECTLY!!!?!??? And this was from when I was 3 soooo

[@anniep2837]

Trust me. Beam looks very scary, but you get on a beam and learn some ways to keep balance and it’s pretty fun.

[@quartneibrown3209]

omg i love shawn johnson!!!!

[@theresa42213]

l've been watching gymnastics since '72 and l've NEVER seen a routine like THIS in my LIFE! lts THEE BEST, fun to watch ...and HEAR ....HANDS DOWN! Like ...WHAT am l watching ???!?!! SuperHUMAN! A bloody _ELEVEN!_

[@lisajoye5721]

Shawn had one of the most difficult routines on beam. She mastered it flawlessly. Her landings were so solid. She made it look effortless...like she was on the floor instead of a 4" beam. One of the greats! ❤

[@A2daM2daZ]

I love her low cartwheel on the beam. I always thought it was adorable. And she's so expressive with her hands. I know not everyone sees Shawn as representing the artistic side of gymnastics but I don't know how you could look at this routine and not just think "beautiful".

[@JennaLeigh]

I know you commented this years ago, but I just wanted to say THANK YOU! She was always expressive and fluid. She wasn't balletic like Nastia, but she absolutely had style. Her FX routine was powerful with lots of grace and beauty.

[@saragrant9749]

The reason is people are convinced it’s ballet, not gymnastics. Why I’ll never understand. They want to put artistry in a box and it’s obnoxious. She was incredibly expressive and fluid in her movements, no hesitation or anything. Thank you for saying that!!

[@chelseacheezkake1733]

Shawn Johnson was as solid on her routine as you can get! She didn't have the best flexibility, but she's a rock! Awesome!

[@ItzKatieRoleplays]

The thing is she had over splits on floor so she was probably scared to do them on beam

[@tahneemeasday6242]

You might say... Shawn "the rock" Johnson

[@neilorourke71]

its so mesmerizing to watch someone do something perfectly

[@trishaaryaa2186]

The best gymnast on the beam ever!!

[@lisajoye5721]

Shaun is incredible. One of the best on beam. So sure of herself, so powerful. I could watch her routines over and over. Well deserving of all her acomplishments and metals. Chow is one of the best coaches there is.

[@beking4]

No one can touch the difficulty and the gymnastic ability required to do this routine, with such precision and beauty. Shawn Johnson is, to me, the pinnacle of women's gymnastics, at least on beam, and probably on floor. As simply a spectator of the sport, there is no one I've ever wanted to watch or root for more than Shawn.

[@barborajezkova8393]

It's a pity about the dismount. The routine was really perfect😱😍

[@Ash-kb9hn]

This is about as perfect as it gets. Absolutely beautiful. I’ve came back and watched this so many times. It’s so satisfying. Every single landing is perfect.

[@josiefa5852]

The Queen of the Beam ❤️

[@yougoslave644]

strength, power, beauty! Shawn Johnson is an amazing gymnast! 👌

[@zouzounakiiilol]

I saw this video 39 times hahaha she is just amazing...i love it!

[@xoxo7715]

She’s like my favorite to watch! Miss you Shawn❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@rehab1345]

Shawn lands SO perfectly! It is like she just did 3 backflips and lands as if she just jumped! 🤯

[@geovaniabella6884]

This Lady is Legend and incomparably great

[@raphaelbhz]

Best beam routine ever!! Love u, Shawn ❤

[@Alicia13320]

It seems so easy for her ! Perfect routine, Shawn, you miss to the world of gymnastic, you are the one !

[@Joybear98]

She just so graceful it's magnificent!!!! I have almost no words for this work of art. I will now go into a corner and cry about my imperfection.

[@gaviriak]

Amazing!!! she is better on beam than the current Américans

[@TheRoby1977]

This is very difficul exercise! I think the hardest...amazing execution and personality in the word. Infact. She was been the queen of olympics games 2008.beautiful girl!!!!

[@randomuser918]

Unreal. Best aggressive beam worker in history of gymnastics, along with Cătălina Ponor. Nobody attacks the beam like they did. On the other hand, for grace, beauty and defined elements, Daniela Silivaș and Nastia Liukin, legends

[@MeowcatBissy]

Soo clean it makes me cry tears of joy x)

[@Lischen424]

I agree with you. I see it just like you! Shawn is so strong and yet also sometimes elegant gymnast. But she knows she does not needs to dance around like a ballerina, just to be a good gymnast. Shawn is a good gymnast and person as she is. I could watch her exercises for hours without I get bored. I admire them for every single part of what she does. She stoned as she were not scared and as if she would not be on beam

[@brandyhuffman8672]

Love watching her so strong beautiful

[@joesmith-jb4ls]

Shawn the Great!!! Love you Shawn ♥♥♥

[@cherieakckerman3424]

If you look at the Beamer chains that everyone just in the Olympics, you’ll see there are not as difficult as this one. Sean Johnson was way ahead of our time on balance beam! She’s not just doing Backstep outs like they do today. She’s doing back handspring and back layouts. And a full twist!

[@devonwright21]

YES!! Simone is killing it right now in Paris but her beam routine (and nobody else’s either) is not even close to the level of difficulty and perfection that this is! I haven’t seen much tumbling at all on the BB at this years Olympics. Shawn is def the GOAT on the balance beam, no question!

[@unorig1nal656]

I could legit watch this routine all day

[@bergercookie]

That tumbling series she did is insane !!! QUEEN 👑

[@belle2614]

Shawn Jhonson é uma lenda da ginástica, ela é simplesmente incrível e seu trabalho deve ser eternamente lembrado❤️

[@terrapearson8038]

This is so impressive!! She is AMAZING!!!!

[@sofiahernandez5939]

she is incredible, so talent full, beutiful and passional. She is the best and amazing.

[@Mags765]

It was always breathtaking to watch Shawn! 💯

[@zoefrantz5655]

literally the best beam routine everr

[@theresa42213]

One of the best routines l've _EVER_ seen! l keep coming back to this one ! lts an unforgettable routine! indeed!!!!

[@giftedintrovert]

So solid, one of my favorite beam workers 🧡

[@thegreenskittle]

0:56 - "not enough flexibility" People hate on Tim's commentary, but I think here he's actually saying something super important. Shawn was victim to domestic overscoring, and when she got to the Olympics, things like not hitting 180 split chipped away at her score.

[@Phizzo4real]

Simone’s the GOAT, but damn the US has had some great ones: Shawn, Nastia and all the other greats before them

[@FabledRomance]

Absolute perfection. Wow. Not a single wobble or flailing leg in sight. Stellar performance🌟

[@kellyshahan2550]

Shawn is one of the great gymnasts.

[@erina4199]

My favorite part is at 0:40 when she shows how talented she is. Imagine how hard to do that is!

[@dustybottom69]

I absolutely think she is one of the best female gymnasts there ever was , her beam skills are so much more difficult then what I saw at the 2020/2021 Tokyo games with the exception of China! She's my all time favorite 💓

[@735bruce]

I never paid attention to the sport but she made me a fan of it!!!It's nothing better to watch than a person clearly giving their best mastering their craft and be Great at it!!!

[@emmadrayton]

wow! just amazing, she has so much strength and power

[@tacoluver234]

love her leo and hair and she's sooooo amazing!

[@frauleinunbekannt]

I just randomly watched this because we love you, East fam!! Stunning

[@Thecasinocrashers]

Best beam routine ever.

[@mooncloudplayz1633]

...the most perfect beam routine EVER...!!!

[@js_ww9250]

Who’s here after finding out she’s Prego 💕😭

[@sammcgown5032]

Still can't believe how good this was

[@VeeBuilds]

I know this was in 2008 but SLAYY SHAWN!!

[@danceballetacro]

one of the best beam workers!!

[@itsnaomiquinn]

She has muscles on her muscles! That's incredible x

[@emilyvickery8081]

Another favourite gymnast. Loved watching her compete. Hard to believe she's all grown up, married and due to have baby #3 in a couple of months.

[@O-kay94]

i'm totally with you :) i love gymnastics, but sadly never really got into it :/

[@micheloia]

what a balance she's the best! ♥

[@jillferns333]

She is amazing

[@aimeecannan512]

I think Shawn is the best gymnast ever

[@mariamibrahim5301]

Aimee Cannan Simone Biles

[@SamiLo2]

Aimee Cannan I feel she is definitely better than Simone but yet she never got even half of the attention Simone did

[@arathgomez615]

Sami Lo Because Simone won the all around gold medal in 3 championships 3 times. And an Olympic gold medal in the all around, and in vault, also on floor, and a bronze for balance beam. Don't forget all the other gold medals in those world championships. Simone has more power than Shawn, more flexibility then Shawn. I don't know where you're getting the idea of Shawn even being on the same level as Simone is. Shawn even said she is glad she retired already because she would even be able to compete with Simone. Simone has accomplished a lot more than Shawn ever did in her life, that's why Simone gets more attention, because she worked harder.

[@emimcbride]

Arath Gomez they both worked very hard! all elite gymnasts have to work hard

[@ashleynoelle1632]

I think I shawn was the best beam worker but other then that hell no aly raisman is better then shawn on vault and floor like shawn was literally just a great beam and floor worker she put in that vault and got big numbers because of the d score but at the end of the day nastia won because she was more perfect and did her easier vault better

[@theresa42213]

Hardly touches the beam with her hands! lt's all leg, and stomach! This routine, and Peng's are my two faves l can watch over, and over!!

[@bananas1and2]

At first I didn't like Shawn's style; I grew up on Svetlana Khorkina, Amy Chow and Shannon Miller with their gracefulness and beautiful lines. But the more I watch Shawn, the more I realize just how incredible she is. She is slam on everything, hits her routines every time. No one is more sure of herself on the beam than her.

[@nothingiseverperfect]

Dude she is so freaking cool, definitely queen of beams, wish she got gold im the AA tho! Ahhhh she’s so cool

[@sultannahj3846]

Shawn Johnson is my hero

[@JennaLeigh]

Just rock solid on everything. Idk if there's ever been another gymnast who competes beam the way Shawn Johnson did. I have tons of fave beamers- Ponor, Zmeskal, Miller, Linlin, Huilan, Wevers, Boginskaya, Milosoveci, Gutsu, and on and on and on.... But Shawn Johnson just performed with a poise and confidence that was astonishing.

[@PageMarker1]

Quite the routine as most have noted. She, Ponor, and Komova are my favorites on this event. Even more inspiring is/was her kindness towards others as she reflects an inner elegance. She's married with a couple of children these days. Glad to see she's done so well in life.

[@evelynlissa]

The Queen of the beam. The best gymnast ever 👏