The American Cup is one competition that has often been accused of being stacked in favor of U.S. gymnasts. In some years, the international field has been so weak that’s appeared to be true.
2008 does not appear to be one of those years.
Germany’s Fabian Hambuchen and Japan’s Hisashi Mizutori have accepted invitations to compete at the March 1 event, Inside Gymnastics Magazine reports. They’ll both be trying to knock off defending champion Jonathan Horton and Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm.
On the women’s side, 2006 American Cup champion Nastia Liukin is set to go, as is 2006 runner-up Shayla Worley, who held her senior coming out party at the same meet. 2007 American Cup winner Shawn Johnson will also be competing.
Canada’s Alyssa Brown and Germany’s Marie-Sophie Hindermann have told International Gymnast Magazine that they will be heading to New York as well.
The rest of the international field has yet to be finalized.
(via Gymnastics Coaching)
Tags: Alyssa Brown, Fabian Hambuchen, Hisashi Mizutori, Jonathan Horton, Marie-Sophie Hindermann, Nastia Liukin, Paul Hamm, Shawn Johnson, Shayla Worley
