When Johnson was 12 years old, she competed in the Junior Olympics (U.S. Level 10) National Championships, where she placed first on the beam and second on the floor to finish fourth overall.
Although she possessed talent, USA Gymnastics had not previously invited her to national team training camps, and her coach Liang Chow had no relationship with the national staff.
In 2005, Chow sent a video of Johnson to Marta Karolyi, the national team coordinator, along with the statement, “I believe this kid will help the U.S. team.” Karolyi was delighted with Chow’s assurance and subsequently invited Johnson to the national team training camps.
With her first-time entry into the Junior International Elite and a third-place finish at the 2005 U.S. Classic, Johnson made a big impression immediately away. But at the 2005 U.S. National Championships, she fell off the beam and finished eighth all-around.
The next year, in 2006, Johnson added a Jaeger to her repertoire of moves, as well as a full-in back-out dismount off the beam and a double-twisting double back on the floor. In the 2006 U.S. Junior National All-Around Championship, she performed better than all of her senior elite competitors, winning first place.
How many weeks was Shawn Johnson when she miscarried?
The “Dancing With the Stars” champion and Olympic gold medalist Andrew East described Johnson’s pregnancy discovery and subsequent miscarriage after eight weeks in a series of videos.
How old was Shawn Johnson when she had her first child?
Best wishes to Shawn Johnson! The 27-year-old (then) former Olympian’s spouse, Andrew East, and they had a daughter!