U.S. gymnasts finish 1-2 in individual all-around

American gymnast Nastia Liukin won the women's individual all-around title Friday, with stellar performances on all four apparatus.

Compatriot Shawn Johnson won the silver while China's Yang Yilin claimed bronze.

Liukin sealed victory on the final event, the floor exercise, and finished with 63.325 points overall. Johnson, the reigning world champion, ended up a half-point back. Liukin and Johnson have been friendly rivals the past two years, with Johnson winning almost everything.

Canadian Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs placed 16th with 58.375 points.

"I did have higher goals for myself and unfortunately I didn't perform to the best of my ability," the Toronto native told the CBC, "but I had some brilliant moments and I'm still pretty pleased. This is the Olympic Games. It's the experience of a lifetime. Every single moment, whether it's a good one or a bad one, helps."

Johnson and Liukin have been the world's best gymnasts for two years, and most expected the teammates to be each other's biggest competition. Johnson came in with the momentum, winning every matchup with Liukin but one in the past few years.

When Liukin realized she was the winner tears filled her eyes. Her father and coach, Valeri, grabbed her in a bearhug, squeezing her tight for several minutes. Valeri Liukin was a double gold medallist for the Soviet Union 20 years ago.

Nastia Liukin, who suffered a serious ankle injury in 2006, is the second straight American to win the Olympic all-around title. Carly Patterson was the champion at the 2004 Athens Games.

For China, it was the first disappointment on the gymnastics floor. The Chinese won both the men's and women's team titles, and Yang Wei ran away with the men's all-around gold on Thursday.