I had only seen Nastia in the 2007 Pan American games, where she was injured. Then I saw Shawn win the all-around at the 2007 Worlds. Then at the 2008 Nationals, I was surprised that Nastia had come back so strong to place 2nd in the all-around. At these Olympics, she was even better. Wow.
I just read that Nastia was 2nd in the all-around at the 2005 Worlds and that she was actually tied in total points with the winner. She was 2nd due to rounding rather than tiebreakers. So I guess that everything that happened here wasn't a surprise for Nastia's fans.
I wish that the Russian women had won a medal.
My favorite tricks were:
* Xiaopeng Li's release move on the parallel bars. He swung from the bar ends to 4/5ths of the way to the other end and landed with some sort of hand press.
* Justin Spring's dismount from the high bar. He went so high and far that he landed at the edge of the matt.
I just read that Nastia was 2nd in the all-around at the 2005 Worlds and that she was actually tied in total points with the winner. She was 2nd due to rounding rather than tiebreakers. So I guess that everything that happened here wasn't a surprise for Nastia's fans.
I wish that the Russian women had won a medal.
My favorite tricks were:
* Xiaopeng Li's release move on the parallel bars. He swung from the bar ends to 4/5ths of the way to the other end and landed with some sort of hand press.
* Justin Spring's dismount from the high bar. He went so high and far that he landed at the edge of the matt.