When you watch U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson compete in the Olympics, you’ll see a world champion who is perfectly suited for this year’s Games, which promise to be more physically challenging than ever.

Johnson, 16, has trained since she was 3, and she’s more than up to the task, given that she can twist her body 2 1/2 times while leaping off the vault. For that and many other feats, she is the reigning individual women’s all-around world champion.

“The things that she can do are downright ridiculous,” says Shannon Miller, the top performer on the 1996 gold-medal-winning women’s team; she won an individual gold in the balance beam event, as well. “Shawn does flips and turns and moves that you’re used to seeing the men do. Now, here comes this little firecracker on the floor doing the same things, and you’re amazed.” (read more)