Johnson participated in the Junior Olympics (U.S. Level 10) National Championships when she was 12 years old, and she finished fourth overall, first on beam, and second on floor. She was talented, but USA Gymnastics originally did not invite her to national team training camps, and her coach Liang Chow had no contact with the national staff.
The National Team Coordinator, Marta Karolyi, received a video of Johnson from Chow in 2005, along with the note, “I believe this kid will help the U.S. team.” Chow’s assurance pleased Karolyi, who thereafter invited Johnson to national team training camps.
Johnson made a significant impression right away, qualifying for the Junior International Elite on her first try and taking third place at the 2005 U.S. Classic. She slid off the beam at the 2005 U.S. National Championships, though, and placed eighth all-around.
Johnson didn’t let it stop her; in 2006, she expanded her skill set to include a Jaeger on bars, a full-in back-out dismount off beam, and a double-twisting double back on the floor. She outperformed all of her senior elite rivals in the 2006 U.S. Junior National All-Around Championship, taking first place.
Who was Shawn Johnson’s partner when she won Dancing with the Stars?
Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas were declared the winners, with Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani taking second place and Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke taking third.