Power vs Elegance | 2 Different Styles of Superb Beam Work

#ShawnJohnson #NastiaLiukin #olympics
Nastia Liukin is the 2008 All-Around Olympic Champion (+ Beam Silver Medalist) & Shawn Johnson is the 2008 Olympic All-Around Silver Medalist (+ Beam Champion). Both are totally amazing gymnasts, with totally different styles!
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[@sporteverywhere]

You get the best of both worlds 🎶

[@boscochamorro6298]

L

[@kiersontitus7322]

Chill it out take it slow till you rock out the show

[@juliemills4883]

In my opinion cuz shawn did all the events and I'm sure it took a toll on her body and exhausting...I believe she would had won the all around gold medal!

[@aliciamcdonald7105]

INDEED!

[@gneissnicebaby]

I love them both but the difference I see is that Shawn takes advantage of her low center of gravity and catered her style and skills to that. While Nastia on the other hand takes advantage of her long flexible legs and of course catered to that. They're both so good that it's more a matter of personal taste and not so much a judgment on their skill or execution.

[@kachambers3041]

Yes, I appreciate you noting that very different builds make different movements accessible and even make the same movements read differently.

[@danitho]

Excellent take! You have a wonderful mind.

[@abbysl8470]

That’s exactly what I was thinking throughout the whole video, another thought I had was that Nastia reminds of a ballerina in how and what she performs.

[@gracemon2oe]

100%!!! I was just watching their Beijing beam final and then scrolled to find this and this is exactly what my reaction was. “Better” is an irrelevant convo, it’s the diversity of skills meets physicality. Both stunning.

[@ro-fz1jt]

Don't say that you L9ve someone and then judge them

[@TwirlGirl2197]

Shawn’s tumbling pass has such a distinct cadence I think you could play just the sound her tumbling pass makes on the beam out of context and I’d still be able to tell you thats what that sound is.

[@agent606]

Literally

[@kk92922]

Are you talking about @ 1:00-1:11?

[@agent606]

@@kk92922 yes. Because she tumbles to two feet opposed to doing handspring and layout step outs (land on one foot first and then the other) it has this beat that that hits every time.

[@kk92922]

@@agent606 ahhh precisely !!!!!

[@andii256]

i love Shawn’s beam sounds. always the same timing every time she performs. and yes her tumbling pass sound is so recognisable!

[@revaew1379]

Love them both! Shawn's series is amazing, she's so solid and so sure! Nastia is so graceful, so elegant. Her Onodi gives me life! Watching them compete together was such a privilege 💜💜

[@KatieLHall-fy1hw]

I know! They are equally good but different!

[@geekchick4859]

Remember here - Shawn only trained 20 HOURS PER WEEK compared to the 30 ofd that others were doing and look what she achieved. Makes me wonder about overtraining still today.

[@moosessurus8172]

“Solid and sure” is such a great way to describe Shawn’s beamwork… her footing is so confident that a lot of her skills look virtually indistinguishable to the same ones on even ground! While with Nastia she flows over the beam like it’s an extension of the routine, to the point I almost think it would look _worse_ if she had to perform it on the floor. Both _so_ skilled

[@DizzyedUpGirl]

Her Onodi is the best version and the best skill she competed.

[@juliaostlund9360]

You're so right

[@trishayamada807]

Both were fantastic but I love the confidence and how Shawn makes the beam sing. I love the sound of her tumbling on the beam.

[@lucyhorst4920]

This era of gymanstics is what i miss. Today is all about power and going hard but you really miss those skills that make ag beautiful. Also gymnasts were, it seems, pulling different tricks and has more unique routines

[@cinziatesauro8819]

There are still some exceptions, like Sanne Weavers. Her beam in Rio is still one of my favourite.

[@margaretkinnaman8585]

I agree. Today's routines not only on beam, but floor & bars too are just to cookie cutter. Same identical moves in slightly different order. Might as well go back to the compulsory routines.

[@lucyhorst4920]

@@cinziatesauro8819 i completely agree Sanne has a beautiful beam routine. Also Mustafina was really onr of those great all around gymnasts who had a good combination of power and artistry. I would also argue that Beth Twiddle, if she had been competing now, would be recieving higher scores. Her execution wasnt perfect but she was pulling hard routines, especially on bars.

[@rebeccasoto9592]

People online said the same thing back in 2008 though

[@entwifey]

I’m seeing a lot of hard tricks and not a lot of consistency… everyone was so wobbly on the beam during trials

[@fitthickchic6732]

They are both amazing, but Nastia holds a special place in my heart. She is the reason I started tumbling lessons-at age 34! I love her elegance and flexibility. I love her bars work, too.

[@vanillamarshmallow]

I think it’s awesome you started at 34. So many people think you have to start young. I hope to get back into tumbling when I finish with school, it’s so fun!

[@fitthickchic6732]

@@vanillamarshmallow Thanks. It's been sporadic though. It's harder to find teachers. 😕 Plus, it's more complicated when mommy and daddy don't pay. Lol

[@unknown-lf6zx]

Good for you ❤️

[@idontknowmuch3441]

@@fitthickchic6732 you’re seriously in the comment section saying these girls have an advantage bc they don’t pay for their lessons their selves?

[@idontknowmuch3441]

Why don’t you have any videos of your tumbling on your channel ?

[@annettehunter9743]

Nastia is the one for me. Pointed toes makes all the difference: even during tumbling Nadia points her toes and creates moving art. Exquisite moving art.

[@ash_and_lavender]

her name is Nastia

[@olliefoxx7165]

I agree. She has a very distinctive style and I particularly like the way she lands on one leg and uses the other to accentuate her next step. I wonder if that's a reflection of her particular training?

[@amyj4106]

@@ash_and_lavender Maybe she was also referring to Nadia Comeneci?

[@mbww8572]

Nastia’s Onodi is the best ever but no one beats Shawn for acro. She’s rock solid.

[@karyon1007]

They were both such incredible gymnasts.❤️

[@fortheloveofcats2462]

I am sad that Nastia only attempted a simple full turn. Her mother could've taught her to do scorpion turns or some of the other cool turns in rg, they would've looked great on Nastia, the elegance she had.

[@MD-722]

An L-turn is by no means simple; especially not on the balance beam.

[@michaelhart7282]

Scorpion turns and the like have too many build in deductions and are hard on the back

[@Jk_hbngfvg]

@@michaelhart7282 they’re pretty common pre-professional dance and other art forms and sports. She definitely had enough flexibility and strength in her back to do them safely. She was doing much more stressful work than that so it definitely wasn’t too bad.

[@lilly2587]

@@Jk_hbngfvg sure they might be common in other forms of dance and art but remember this is also performed on a beam. they also need to think about risk v reward

[@Jk_hbngfvg]

@@lilly2587 I forgot to add that in my comment, thanks 😂

[@inejklaus3047]

I think their anatomy has a lot to do with it. Shawn is shorter and more muscular so she has that power to launch herself of the beam and her body turns quicker (cause of air resistance and she’s shorter so her legs come around faster). Nestia has much longer limbs so when she flips it takes a bit longer for her feet to reach the ground again, making her more graceful. She has these long limbs that give her the advantage of allowing her to use them elegantly. So because of that she does more splits and turns and everything just a bit slower and less rushed that makes it look graceful. Both are great 👍🏼:)

[@gildedpeahen876]

As a classically trained ballet dancer, I really appreciate the fluid and sinuous movements...I can only imagine how hard it would be to try to move with beauty while also doing these unbelievable athletic feats....on a few inches of beam!! I really admire gymnasts!

[@Tigerheiress]

nastias feet!!

[@JenevaGriffin]

Shawn's beam routine will always be my favorite. I have it memorized and I'm not even a gymnast! 🤣 The things that girl could do on the beam! And with so much power and confidence! Amazing!!!

[@rosaakanatan]

As a dancer, I love the more classic style of gymnastics, so just adore Nastia and her elegence and flair.

[@darklight1030]

The result is obvious: they both win the gold medal

[@jennylynne4414]

I forgot how much I loved Shawn's tumbling pass. So much power! And Nastia, so much grace. It's almost like watching two different sports.

[@olliefoxx7165]

Nastia's one legged landing while using her other leg to sweep alongside the beam and gracefully set up the next step is artistic. Both are exceptional athletes of course but I do like the personality of Nastia's moves.

[@mel...s]

Nastia's gymnastics is just too beautiful.

[@mx.heirans]

Totally different styles but both are equally talented gymnasts. Shawn with her tremendous power and strength and Nastia with her exquisite grace and elegance. They are both attacking the beam with so much ease and fluidity. I love their rhythm on the balance beam. It's like a great music to my ears. Love you both! Ps: Can we have Simone and Sanne next? I think that they're also a great example of power and elegance.

[@skateata1]

Excellent way to describe them. Nastia reminds me of the 80s and 70s beam routines

[@moonchild977]

Shawn’s layout series is one of my favorite things in this world, but over all, I have to admit that Nastia just does it for me. her elegance makes it looks like she’s floating the whole time, and there’s not enough gymnasts like her anymore

[@EmilyLongtin]

Shawn Johnson is still my fave beam worker of all time

[@daiseycasey2718]

Both are champions that pushed each other to be better great to watch and I’m glad that they are good friends today!

[@MSUSPARTANS1973]

These are both incredible! But my favorite beam routine of all time is Dominique Moceanu’s at the 1996 Olympics. Her mount, to this day, is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

[@wesleybyrnes8330]

would love to see another one of these with simone and sanne!!

[@itsbrianhong]

I think Simone and Suni Lee would be a better compare video of power vs artistry. They both could’ve been like Shawn and nastia, minus the inconsistency of suni. I’m crossing for Suni to come back for another olympics as she can build on her confidence/ consistency to help her have a better Olympic versus last, which she did fairly well as well!! ;)

[@wesleybyrnes8330]

@@itsbrianhong i feel like sanne is more artistic than suni, particularly with her acrobatic series and most difficult skill. she used more artistic skills like turns and dance elements to best laurie and simone, but i definitely see some more artistry in suni than simone

[@itsbrianhong]

@@wesleybyrnes8330 the thing with sanne is she only have artistry and hard dance element. Nastia and Suni has hard dance and a few acro skills. That’s why for me it we are going to compare the current gymnast competing that are like Shawn and nastia, I would have to say it’s Simone and Suni. But we all have our own opinions!! I’m just wishing home girl (Suni) comes back for a second olympics. I’m hoping being on DWTS and now competing for her school wills help her build that confidence. She technically had the skills to win not only any medal but could’ve been silver on beam it’s just she lack that consistency. For example during the olympics. Qualification she did her whole routine. Team and all around she left out a few skills. Event final she added everything back and wobble hard on the last acro series which cost her a medal.

[@ojk46]

@@itsbrianhong she actually only ever did her full difficulty in finals.

[@itsbrianhong]

@@ojk46 oh really? I thought she did full difficulty during qualification too haha my bad. Besides that, the point is Sunil will be a better comparison with Simone versus sanne.

[@erinjohnson1124]

As a huge fan of beam, this duo will always be one of my favorites from the Olympics. You really had the best examples of both styles on this apparatus. It was incredible to watch.

[@somethingelse9176]

They were both so great. I love how you compared these. It's interesting to me to see the difference in their full turns. Shawn clearly drilled the hell out of hers to be able to stay up on her toes by the time Beijing rolled around and her execution there was top notch. I watched the two clips of Nastia's full turn in this video and the really amazing thing is not her releve, which she does with ease, but the way she seems to be able to hit the brakes on a dime and hold the position with incredible control rather than wavering and flailing like a lot of people who can spin that easily and gracefully would do. It's almost like they swapped strengths for that one skill, probably because they knew they needed to. Amazing what gymnastics can bring out of a person!

[@ggsooyoun]

I love Shawn's tumble series, but damn do I wish Nastia had kept her old one! She used to do a handspring-layout-layout (all stepouts) and it was gorgeous!! I've always loved her style

[@kristinae.7084]

Both absolute QUEENS and I'm glad they each played to their strengths!

[@ddraigmafon4725]

Although my personal preference is for grace over power, all these incredible gymnasts who make the beam look as easy as a wide pavement deserve kudos.

[@swearnim]

Nastia reminded me of Nadia Comaneci style of Gymnastics and Shawn Johnson, Simone Biles style... I think this was the time where Artistry was transitioning to Acrobatics..

[@KatieLHall-fy1hw]

It was. And because it was still in transition Shawn had her own unique style and was able to highlight her dance a little more than the elites currently do

[@Kate-yx2rm]

Technically, wouldn't it be Simone is Shawn Johnsons style? Shawn was before Simone.

[@dilberta6046]

These are the GOATs to me. So beautiful.

[@SmileeBandit]

Both are really good. Nastia is more artistic and Shawn is more powerful. Personally I like Shawn better because she is more consistent and dependable in her execution.

[@DL-sl3nt]

But cant hit a leap to save her life. But go off on execution! lol

[@tobe4real]

Thank you for this series, I am learning about gymnastics through it! I have never been into gymnastics but stumbled upon these and I obsessed with your videos. Also great editing style that is infroming yet somehow relaxing

[@mht4908]

In the current cop, Shawn will definitely get hammered for execution, especially in the splits and the low chest during her dismount, whereas Nastia maximizes the execution other than the slow connections. I remember one of the videos showed the exeuction differences between the 2 using the 2017-2021 cop, Nastia basically scored in the high 8s - low 9s, Shawn only scored in the high 7s Nevertheless, I still prefer Shawn overall, there's a sense of commanding people to watch her when she's on the beam, she attacked the beam like no one else did/does. Other than the 2007 worlds, you basically have zero concerns about her possibly falling off

[@Appaddict01]

Shawn would make up for that with the zero hesitation she shows. So many of the current beam deductions come from pauses. Nastia would get hammered on all of her slow connections.

[@KatieLHall-fy1hw]

I’m tired of the “low chest” and “slow connections” arguments. I get it, sure, but also, bodies are different and you need to keep that level of control. I just think it sort of sucks for them to get dinged for their method of control.

[@myerklamb8529]

Nastias "connections" are legendary. Love her gymnastics but she would be hammered by today's judges.

[@MD-722]

@@KatieLHall-fy1hw Bodies _are_ different and that is why it is important to use a method of control that minimises and/or even eliminates deductions--which is the point of the sport.

[@katrinasweet5973]

Really cool to see their elements compared like this

[@laurafabianmarrero8614]

This two are my favorite of all times And Kyla Ross 💪💪💪

[@eurekamreum5458]

Kyla Boss*

[@ioanairimies4378]

I love Cătălina Ponor. A mix of Shawn and Nastia

[@ayshajayne8654]

I would love to see someone merge these routines to make the most iconic and really difficult routines out there. I love the power and grace.

[@LuisMiguel2191]

Both were amazing but I love Nastia's russian style.

[@ddtl4537]

both are good. I remember those days when they competed. However, Liukin hit my heart.

[@chrelaadea5488]

I always rooted for both of them! Love them and their friendship so much

[@unknown-lf6zx]

I love they are still friends today and both such amazing young women!

[@louisegappa3146]

Both are so incredible - love this video!!

[@kayelle8005]

Always Shawn for me. She’s supreme. I love their friendship. Thanks for providing two versions of each skill.

[@matthewkretschmer7010]

It would be great to be able to watch either of them doing gymnastics for just entertainment with fun for themselves and not competitions.

[@-anna-3606]

Yeah it would. If you look up training videos of them it’s pretty close. Also their Gold around America tour last year.

[@missysample4486]

Much LOVE for both of these ladies. They are so different and unique but equally talented(& classy) in their own rights. They did America so proud!!!😊

[@jesuspalomo5143]

And Shawn Johnson is the 2008 Beam Olympic Champion and Nastia Liukin is the 2008 Beam Olympic Silver Medalist, that sound more interesting because the video is about beam not AA

[@meljstephan]

Both so good. I loved growing up watching them and I love that they're still friends and hang out together.

[@sweetelle818]

Wow.. So much hard-work that shows. All was superb! WOW! I’d be so jealous. Lol.. The concentration & accuracy that’s a gift. What a great clip. Thank u! 👍🏽♥️

[@jessicabrown8158]

Nastia luikin is what made me so interested in gymnastics, so fluid, but she can also come in with amazing tumbles. Her leaps in particular are sooo elegant and beautiful. I feel like she is abit underrated compared to some power house performers however she does the exact same and makes it look so smooth and effortless

[@BetteBlaze13]

Great post. Thanks so much🌟

[@ShelleeGraham]

Nicely composed & edited comparison. Great 👍 work showing SUPERB 🤸‍♂️ 🤸‍♀️ gymnastics!

[@kayv5840]

These two were the first people to get me interested in watching gymnastics. Such an intense, but beautiful sport. I was and still am jealous of Shawn’s muscles, they look great 💪! She was one of the people who inspired me to start working out and try to be stronger.

[@tb11212]

I love how they’re best friends in real life to this day ♥️

[@athaliahgrunburg8574]

theres nothing like watching an elegant gymnast

[@AC-87]

STUNNING performances from both ladies. Just beautiful!!

[@Dazyredfox87]

Excellent compilation!

[@taylorismother]

They are both amazing, but Shawn is my favorite. I prefer the cool skills over elegance, but Nastia is amazing too.

[@colleenmarin8907]

This was an amazing Olympics to watch!!

[@zoew_]

i saw shawn one time at a nail salon while i was in tn and i was literally to stunned to say anything lol i did gymnastics for ten years and she was my idol

[@dronography4174]

This is why the 2008 AA was so mesmerizing for me. Two styles in competition. I was team Liukin. Both phenomenal athletes and so happy there is room for many styles in this sport. As there should be.

[@bloodrainicorn6193]

I love both of their styles so much. Nastia has the beautiful long slender limbs that make her look much taller than she is and her gymnastics really take advantage of those gorgeous lines she can make. Shawn tumbles on the beam like it’s the floor. Simply mesmerizing.

[@jessicasteinberger991]

All amazingly talented!

[@sivayamsiva9343]

Greatly appreciated congratulations 👌👌👌

[@dianacontreras902]

Love them both ❤️❤️

[@Fluffypink102]

I love this type of video!

[@thekaty714]

Man beam is always so incredibly impressive to me! I can hardly even fathom tumbling on such a small surface it’s amazing!!!

[@victoriaferris5410]

Im sorry but all these girls are truly amazing. They make it look so easy. Great job to the girls, all of them!

[@melanylockhart8255]

Their both so talented but something about watching Shawn is so much more intriguing..

[@Den-fr8xy]

Will always adore Nastia's beam 😍

[@paige7012]

I admire them both so much. They were my heroes during the height of my gymnastics career. But nastia will always have a special place in my heart. I was more of a dancy and acro gymnast on a team of power tumblers. She made me feel just as valid and talented as the rest 🥰

[@cosmor7521]

What an awesome side by side.

[@IoanaHaitchi]

Just beautiful!

[@specialnewb9821]

Non-gymnastic stuff. What I found interesting is a few years ago they talked about how in 2008 they were so young they got caught up in the media narrative that they were rivals and so didn't become friends until later on in life.

[@MD-722]

They had been friends all their lives until the above eventually happened which lead to their 8-year separation before finally reuniting when Shawn Johnson invited Nastia Liukin to her wedding. But that is something that American media does all the time, regardless of whether the public figures in question are friends or not. Brandy & Monica, Britney Spears & Christina Aguilera, it even happened between Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey and also happens between men--e.g the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry etc which even resulted in mutilple deaths... The penchant of American media for creating artificial narratives over covering factual stories in order to _sell_ is honestly both shameless and embarrassing. But what's sad is how easily and greatly its audience can be deceived by it--especially in this sport; because the misinformation in gymnastics is *rife.*

[@agent606]

@@MD-722 nothing brings crowds like rivalries. I love that today in gymnastics even the girls pitted against each other cheer for each other. I loved watching Jordan cheer for grace when UCLA and UTAH were competing.

[@paugaro30]

Excellents! I like both but my fav is Nastia :)

[@jnanashakti6036]

Truly incredible what gymnasts do.

[@krisinalana1193]

I’d die for Nastia’s leg line

[@findKhristine]

two legends can co-exist🤩

[@cynthiastorer1230]

Excellent! Walla! So sterdy it's charming.

[@bethmissbenett]

They are amazing!

[@piscea0229]

Both are amazing gymnasts!!

[@nubianfx]

Im biased but i prefer the balleticism and artistry of Nastias work... shes was the last of a dying breed...

[@dandavat9236]

Невероятная работа, завораживает... вау 🛐

[@user-wl3du2yu3s]

Русскую школу ни с чем не спутаешь 👍

[@RadEns73]

Unimaginable! I would probably fall off this beam halfway just trying to walk on it.

[@CieraMychele]

The narrator said it best, they make it look so easy so fluid it's beautiful

[@clevisbernier8973]

cool. I like the light ninja like one.

[@Squarehammer1]

Shawn Johnson will be my fave forever!

[@charlesw322]

total perfection

[@onthelam5520]

They are both excellent athletes. Amazing.

[@carmelhelen5102]

Both awesome

[@agneseditsstuff]

love love love it

[@priyamanobal]

I love elegance on any event in gymnastics

[@zoew_]

i usually never would watch beam but if it was shawn i was glued to the screen

[@wplants9793]

As a former gymnast who was afraid of heights and severely anemic (so my power would go away in an instant), I know some of those leaps/dance skills can be worth a lot of points, sometimes as much as tucks or tumbling combos. I’m not familiar with the modern scoring system, but I bet that’s one way Nastia rakes in the points

[@demonsalwayswin]

Always team Shawn. 💯

[@Tigerheiress]

shawn johnson doing standing layouts on the beam is just crazy. nastia is my favorite tho! those feet

[@gial8862]

These two were the best the world had ever seen.

[@GinaBlythe]

Shawn was SHEER power. Nastia SHEER elegance. Even if one couldn't tell by their routines, their dismounts are the tell tale signs. Each were amazing gymnasts. But the way Shawn treated the beam like it was the floor reminded me of Nadia.

[@debunkthejunk1]

I love how Budweiser was a sponsor and the beam is like walking the heel to toe for 10 steps.