Nastia Liukin : Beijing Olympic Gymnastic Champion

Nastia Liukin leaves Beijing with five medals, tying a U.S. record held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Her Olympic medal haul bests that of her father, Valeri, who "only" has four.
Liukin captured the Olympic gold medal in the all-around competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics defeating teammate Shawn Johnson who finished in second. She added this medal to the family's trophy case exactly twenty years after her father captured two golds at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She also has a silver medal with the U.S. team and a bronze medal on floor exercise. In a convoluted tie-breaking procedure, Liukin finished second on uneven bars to China's He Kexin. On beam, she finished second to Johnson.

With one of the most difficult uneven bars routines in the world, Liukin took the American Cup title over Shawn Johnson in March. In April, she won the Pacific Rim Championships. A stumble on floor at Nationals left her in second to Shawn Johnson, but Liukin's Day 2 all-around total proved that when both Liukin and Johnson hit, it's anyone's game. Liukin once again finished second to Johnson at the Olympic Trials, but it was enough to secure a berth on the 2008 Olympic Team.

Liukin was born in Moscow of the former Soviet Union and goes by Nastia, the Russian diminutive of Anastasia. Liukin is fluent in Russian and English, speaks some Spanish and would like to learn French.

Nastia's parents are products of the Soviet gymnastics machine. Nastia's father, Valeri Liukin, was a double gold medalist (team, high bar) at the 1988 Seoul Games, and her mother, Anna Kochneva Liukin, was the 1987 rhythmic world champion with clubs. Citing their personal experiences (in wedding photos, Valeri is sporting a cast), Valeri and Anna were reluctant to let Nastia begin formal training. But since they could not afford a babysitter, Nastia tagged along to the gym. From the sidelines, Nastia began imitating the moves of gymnasts she watched and was soon outperforming them. Unable to ignore their four-year-old's natural talent, Valeri and Anna relented.

With nine medals from world championship competition, Liukin tied Shannon Miller's record. Liukin also owns more world medals than her parents do -- combined.

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