BEIJING (AP) _ Elegance and power, almost in equal portions. A combination that just shouldn’t work.

Yet it’s what women’s gymnastics requires. When done precisely, it is mesmerizing. Just like Nastia Liukin’s command performance at the Beijing Olympics on Friday.

In an intense climax to a friendly rivalry with U.S. teammate Shawn Johnson, Liukin won the all-around gold medal. The 18-year-old daughter of a two-time Olympic champion, Liukin displayed the grace of a ballerina and the strength of, well, her dad in edging Johnson and breaking China’s stranglehold on gold. Yang Yilin of China took bronze, the first time the Chinese were not atop the medals podium in gymnastics.

It was no surprise, though, because Liukin and Johnson have been the world’s best gymnasts for two years. On this day, the difference between them was six-tenths of a point.

“Everything pays off for this very moment,” Liukin said. “You can only think of good things.”

You have to do good — make that great — things to become an Olympic champion, of course. Liukin did them regardless of what was demanded.

Style and charm?

Liukin was breathtaking on balance beam, where she took the lead for good. From the moment she puts her fingertips onto the beam and presses herself up into the splits, her long legs unfurling like the petals of a flower, every movement is exquisite. A grand ballerina would be jealous.

But so would a circus acrobat. On one front somersault, she lands without ever putting one of her feet on the beam, instead brushing it back until her leg is fully extended behind her.

None of the other women could match Liukin’s magnificent versatility. Not even world champion Johnson, who beat Liukin at nationals and Olympic trials this year, but came up short in Beijing against her Olympic roommate.

“We both supported each other 100 percent, and we just wanted to go out there and give it our all and have fun, because this is the games,” Liukin said. “There is nothing bigger or greater than this.”

For both of them. Liukin and Johnson grew closer throughout 2008. They secured their Olympic spots together in Philadelphia — the other four had to qualify later on at a selection camp — and then were paired in the athletes’ village in Beijing.

Rather than create enmity, being roomies provided more of a bond. They even made calendars to place by their beds to count down to the all-around finals.

When Johnson was doing her floor routine as the final competitor, Liukin knew only her teammate could snatch away gold — just as Valeri Liukin’s countryman did in the 1988 all-around.

Yet Nastia Liukin clapped and cheered for Johnson, even as she anxiously paced back and forth.

Johnson’s 15.525 equaled Liukin’s score, giving her silver.

“I gave my heart and soul out there today,” Johnson said. “Nastia deserved the gold.”

It was the first time the United States has won two medals in the women’s all-around.

“I’m feeling so much better than two days ago,” said U.S. national team coordinator Martha Karolyi, whose squad won silver behind China in the team event, when the Americans — including Liukin and Johnson — made major errors.

“I am very, very proud of both of the girls who did their personal best. They raised the standard of women’s gymnastics even higher today.”

But Friday’s results continued the struggles for the reigning world champion: Only four women have won Olympic gold while holding the world title, the last happening in 1996.

“We kind of have been going back and fourth the entire year,” Liukin said. “We knew it would come down to the final competition and it came down to our final event. We wanted to go out there and do our all and have no regrets. We did all we could … and it definitely paid off this time.”

When Liukin saw she was the winner, tears filled her eyes. Valeri grabbed her in a Russian bearhug, squeezing her tight for several minutes.

“It’s 20 years earlier that I competed in the Olympic Games,” he said. “I was second in that one. I guess it’s nice to fix the little mistake that I had, so I am very proud of my baby.”

Baby? Not quite. And Liukin has every chance of being the kind of sporting icon Mary Lou Retton became. She has the looks, the personality, the athleticism — and, yes, the gold — to be a crossover star.

While something beyond gymnastics should be on Liukin’s radar, the 16-year-old Johnson is thinking about London 2012.

“If I could have told you a month ago, I would have said no, that I was done,” said Johnson, who owns two silvers from Beijing heading to the event finals. “But after being here and experiencing the whole experience, it’s just a dream come true. … I’d give anything to feel that again. If I can in 2012, I’ll be there, no matter what.”

Liukin is the second straight American to win the all-around crown, succeeding training partner Carly Patterson. Retton won it in 1984.

This was more than a national treasure, however. It was fulfillment of a family goal.

Liukin has the elegance and classic lines of her mother, Anna, a former world champion in rhythmic gymnastics. Anna and Valeri Liukin preferred that their daughter take up piano or perhaps another sport, but not their sport.

No way. From the time she was a toddler, Nastia was a regular at their gym — in part because they couldn’t afford a baby sitter. Eventually, her parents relented.

Good decision.

By 2004, Liukin was so accomplished that she would have made the U.S. squad for Athens had she been old enough. Instead, she had to wait four more years, and in that span she began collecting world medals — nine in all, tied for most by an American — and injuries. Indeed, last year was a miserable one for Liukin, and some critics said she should drop the all-around and stick to bars and beam.

“I feel like this journey has been so long,” she said. “There have been so many battles and injuries, just to be at the Olympic Games is amazing.”

And to add to the Liukin collection?

“I’m still chasing him for that medals count,” she said. “He’s got two gold and two silvers, so I have three more finals to beat him.”