He Kexin is back; Samantha Shapiro makes a statement

It is never too early to begin looking for the next crop of gymnastics stars. With that in mind, the U.S. women's and men's teams sent a group of budding stars last weekend to the Pan American Union Individual Event Championships in Rosario, Argentina.

Of note were the results of Samantha Shapiro of Los Angeles. The 15-year-old who trains with Mattie Larson at All Olympia Gymnastics Center finished first on balance beam with scores of 15.650 (preliminaries) and 15.775 (finals) and on uneven bars with scores of 15.475 and 15.425.

Meanwhile, China's He Kexin reportedly scored an eye-opening high score of 17.000 on this routine in Italy last weekend. He was the controversial winner of the Olympics uneven bars gold medal, when she beat Nastia Liukin because of a tie-breaking procedure. Her correct age was questioned throughout the Olympics.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo:  A file photo shows He Kexin after winning the Beijing Games gold medal on the women's uneven bars on Aug. 18. Credit: Kazuhiro Nogi / AFP / Getty Images 

Comments

[NOAgree]

Shapiro did not make a mark. There was nobody of merit competing at that meet. All 3 girls won gold medals. Corrie Lothrop and Olivia Courtney also.

[NOAgree]

P.S.- Yang Yilin was the real winner He should have been second by herself. Nastia was over scored the entire Olympics and should not have been on the podium