Scott]ohnson (above, left) placed sixth all-around.japan 's Koji Gushinken used his new move on PB, giant half-twist to upper-arm, for only the second time in competition. (Right) China's Li Yuejiu finished second to Li Ning in floor finals.
The USA foursome had momentum , familiar equipment, home-turf, the crowd and they were competing after the Chinese. They needed four big vaults. The "counters" included Scott Johnson's tsuk-full, Jim Hartung's half-out and finally Mitch Gaylord's tsuk-full-9.70, 9.70, 9.80 totalling 29.25 to win 174.55 to 174.50 over a somewhat shocked Chinese team. The Men's All-Around: - Champion; 18 year-old Li Ning! Clearly the finest young male gymnast in the world today. In last summer's World University Games held in Bucharest, Romania, Li Ning was one of the athletes who left his all-around award on the
''All four USA men finished in the top nine of the all-around." stand, then turned around and walked away. The Chinese felt he had won the AA championship; he placed fifth. Later that same summer in August in Hawaii, he casually won the AA at the USA/ China dual meet. And a couple months later he placed sixth in Moscow last November. Li Ning, Tong Fei and Li Xiaoping are awesome, and once they increase their consistency in compulsories the Russians won't stand a chance. It appears the only other thing which could prevent them from winning the gold in Los Angeles would be a second Cultural Revolution at home. All four USA men finished in the top nine of the all-aroundJim Hartung, second; Mitch Gaylord, fourth ; Scott Johnson, sixth and Tim Daggett, ninth. They are among some fine elite company - Gushiken, Li Xiaoping, Li Yuejiu, Li Ning, and Kajitani. Jim Hartung hit six powerful sets to score 58.60 and win the silver medal, just .15 behind champion Li Ning. They each have a couple of events on the other one and they were even on two. It was a terrific optional meet! USGF GYMNASTICS JULY/AUGUST '82