January 13, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 03, 1429

NEW YORK, Jan 12: Defending world champion Shawn Johnson and defending Olympic champion Paul Hamm will be featured at the American Cup, one of the top gymnastics meets in the leadup to the Beijing Olympics.

World beam champion Nastia Liukin, Shayla Worley and Jonathan Horton, a fourth-place finisher in last year's all-around at worlds, are the other Americans slated to compete at Madison Square Garden on March 1.

It will mark the first international event for Hamm, who is coming back after a three-year retirement from competition following his gold-medal performance in Athens in 2004. Hamm, who competed on floor and pommel horse at nationals last August, is scheduled for his first full competition next month at Winter Cup. It's a ranking meet leading up to nationals in May.

Johnson established herself as the favorite for Beijing with her victory at worlds last year, becoming the fourth U.S. woman to win the world championship in the all-around. Liukin is expected to challenge Johnson, and their meeting at American Cup will be the first of several between the teammates this year.

Fabian Hambuechen of Germany, who wowed the home crowd by winning the all-around silver medal at worlds last year, is expected to perform, along with last year's bronze medalist, Hisashi Mizutori of Japan. The rest of the international field has not been announced Past winners of the event have included Shannon Miller, Mary Lou Retton and Nadia Comaneci. In 2004, Carly Patterson won the American Cup - a preview of her victory in Athens.—AP