Johnston finished the night with a dazzling 92.550 all-around score, leaving it to Chloe Hayes (74.975) and Danielle Prince (72.258) to fight it out for the minor places.

 

Also serving as the gymnasts last opportunity to impress for selection for the world championships later in the year, Johnston has all but guaranteed her position, with a cast of six gymnasts fighting it out for the remaining three positions, including Keziah Oliver and Danielle Prince (QLD), Enid Sung and Janelle Cohen (NSW), Chloe Hayes and Janine Murray (WA).

 

The world championship team announcement will be made on Monday, 13 July 2009.

 

Johnston opened her nights competition with her highest scoring apparatus, the hoop, with 25.025. She followed up with strong performances with the ball (22.908) and rope (21.442) and despite a slight hiccup with the ribbon (23.175) she still managed to record the highest scores of the competition on all four apparatus. 

 

The 20-year-old was pleased to continue her impressive form and defend her national title.

 

“It’s a really good feeling to be able to return after the Beijing Olympics and regain my national championship.   To be able to come back and keep up the same level of performance after an Olympic year is really promising,” Johnston said.

          

“Beijing was a great experience for me.  We went into the competition knowing where I stand and with an expectation of how I would go.  The aim was to get out fours clean routines, and I think I did that.”

 

Valuing from the experience of competing at an Olympic Games, the New South Wales gymnast now turns her attention to the World Championships in Japan in September.

 

“Competing in big competitions like the Olympic Games is great experience when it comes to pressure and large audiences, so to be able to get through your routines and not drop the bundle under those circumstances is a great advantage to have in years to come,” Johnston said.

 

“The next aim is definitely the world championships later in the year.  Again I want to get out four clean routines but also improve my world ranking as well.   

 

This will be my third world championships and each one gives you that bit more experience under that pressure environment.”

 

Unable to predict who may travel alongside her come September, Johnson believes whoever is selected will revel in the opportunity.

 

“Janelle Cohen from my training group finished fourth tonight so she is in with a chance and it would be great to travel with her.  But I have competed against all these girls for so long now that we are all friends and it is a great experience for all the girls to compete at a world championships.”

 

Australia’s senior men will return for their apparatus finals tomorrow night, whilst the rhythmic gymnastics apparatus finals will take place on Friday night.

 

What: Australian Men’s, Rhythmic and Cheer Championships

When: Monday, 6 July – Sunday, 12 July 2009

Where: Chandler Stadium, Brisbane

 

 

Thursday, 9 July, 6:30pm – 9:00pm (Men’s apparatus finals)

Friday, 10 July, 6:30pm – 8:45pm (Rhythmic Gymnastics apparatus finals)

 

End of Release 

   

For media accreditation, media enquires or to arrange interviews please contact Gymnastics Australia Media:

 

Taryn Kirby – 0433 665 055 or taryn@jumpmedia.com.au