NEW YORK — Not a bad way for Paul Hamm and Nastia Liukin to kick off the Olympic year.
Hamm showed the world he is back with a victory at the American Cup at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, while Liukin reminded everyone she is a factor for gold at the Beijing Olympics.
“Don’t get me wrong, I did not have the best competition of my life,” Liukin said. “But it definitely gives you a boost.”
Hamm dominated his first international meet since winning a gold medal in Athens. He scored 94.4 despite a fall off the pommel horse, and finished more than three points ahead of fellow American Sasha Artemev (91.150) of Lakewood and Japan’s Hisashi Mizutori (90.950).
Liukin, who was hobbled by an ankle injury last year while fellow American Shawn Johnson won the U.S. and world titles, rebounded in impressive form. She finished with 63.425 points to edge Johnson, who scored 63.1 after a fall on a tough, new vault.
The University of Denver’s Jessica Lopez, who is representing Venezuela, finished sixth with 57.400 points.
