GYMNASTICS / WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS : Miller Is Back in the Running

BRISBANE, Australia — Shannon Miller, defending world champion in the all-around, rebounded from a disappointing opening day during Wednesday’s World Gymnastics Championships.

Miller, 17, from Edmond, Okla., qualified second behind teammate Dominique Dawes in the beam event and third behind Romania’s Lavinia Milosovici and Dawes in the floor exercises.

It was an improvement after Tuesday, when she was fourth in qualifying for the vault and missed out on a place in the final of the uneven bars.

Steve Nunno, U.S. coach, said Miller has made spectacular progress since suffering a pulled stomach muscle last month.

“Shannon’s getting better every day,” he said. “By Friday, everyone will see her back in top form.

“We had to come back slowly, but a metamorphosis has taken place over the last two weeks with Shannon’s performances.”