Shawn Johnson Dancing with the Stars: Top 3 Duos That Will Challenge Champ

Shawn Johnson has a great chance of repeating as Dancing with the Stars champion this season, but contending in the first-ever All-Stars edition is going to be tough.

Johnson, who won the gold medal in the balance beam and the silver medal in the all-around in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, beat Gilles Marini last year in the show's tightest season ever. This year, she's switched from partner Mark Ballas to Derek Hough.

The season premiere didn't go as smoothly for Johnson as she would have hoped, finishing with 22 points alongside Hough. That landed her in a tie for fourth place.

Here's a look at the top three dancing duos Johnson should be worried about this season.

3. Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd

After losing by a nose to Johnson last season, French-American actor Gilles Marini scored 24 points alongside partner Peta Murgatroyd on Monday. The well-executed foxtrot put the duo in second place.

Marini showed last season that he is not to be taken lightly and there's a legitimate chance he swipes the Mirror Ball Trophy away from Johnson this year if she isn't careful.

2. Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff

You have to figure Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff have a great shot this year. 

Ohno won the 2007 competition alongside Julianne Hough and this is Smirnoff's 12th season on the show (she helped J.R. Martinez to victory in Season 13).

Ohno, the most decorated Winter Olympics athlete of all time (eight medals, including two gold), has the grace and desire to win this competition again. That was evident when he scored 22 points on Monday, tying Johnson.

1. Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke

C'mon, after that performance on Monday night, how can you not say Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke are the favorites?

The Season 3 winner didn't miss a beat on Monday, racking up 24.5 points partnered with Burke, the most out of any duo on the night.

Remember, beyond Smith, Burke also helped Drew Lachey win in Season 2 and somehow found a way to boost Rob Kardashian to a second-place finish in Season 13. She has definitely shown her ability to lead throughout the show's history.