Unlike Simone Biles, Shilese Jones Denied Namesake Move at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

The World Artistic Gymnastics Championship is a major ground for the athletes in the field. From leading the team to owning the spotlight individually, the World Championship is the ultimate ground for recognition. The teams, mindful of the outcomes, have raced for days to earn their top spots. While Team USA made history by earning their seventh straight title, Brazil and France earned their first in decades. However, now as the teams move on, the following events have made space for individuals to shine.

On the 6th of October, 2023, the World Artistic Gymnastic Championship hosted the all-around women’s finals. Along with the anticipated results, the spectators also awaited to witness another one of the spectacles. Shilese Jones, the promising icon for USA women’s gymnastics, was known to perform with the goal of having an element named after her. After days of practice and speculation, Jones took her chance in the evening of the all-around finals; putting an end to the wait.

Shilese Jones puts her best foot forward for a testing performance

A few days ahead of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship, the FGI announced that two of the USA women’s gymnastics team members have submitted forms to have an element named after them. It was Simone Biles and Shilese Jones. Biles, going in to have a 5th element named for her, chose the most difficult of them all; the Yurchenko double pike. Following right on, Jones submitted the form to have the triple L to her name. While Simone succeeded in having the element named Biles II, the outcome didn’t work in favor of Shilese.

The Triple L required Shilese to establish a triple turn with the leg held horizontally on the Floor Exercise. Jones, who flawlessly shone at the U.S. Championships, failed to do so at the 2023 World Championships. While performing her routine, she stumbled a step but ended with a double tuck. The 21-year-old’s performance gained her a total score of 13.400; placing fifth behind the Netherlands Gymnast VISSER Naomi.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Shilese emerged successful in making her place on the podium. She put up a total of 56.332, which placed her behind Simone Biles, and Rebecca Andrade. However, going forward, Jones will aim to channel her energy into the individual apparatus.

A look through Shilese’s 2023 World Gymnastics

Through the past three years, tragedies and losses failed to leave the gymnast alone. Starting with an unfortunate accident that injured her ankle, Shilese went on to experience the loss of her father and then sustained a shoulder injury. Lasting through the obstacles, she managed to emerge strong and determined going into the 2023 Worlds.

Also Read: American Star Shilese Jones in Nail-Biting Deadlock With Foreign Rival at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

Beginning with a bang, on the qualifier’s day, she occupied top spots in all the apparatus except vault, topping the all-around list. Shilese Jones, through her marvelous performance, placed second on uneven bars with 14.833, followed by a 5th on the Balance beam with 14.033. As for her third score, it was a fifth again for the rising gymnast with 13.8 on the floor.

The rankings indicating the standings of Shilese Jones have defined her stature and composition in the gymnastics world. Maintaining her consistency, the previous Uneven Bars winner will look to recreate history or turn it for the better.

Watch this story: With World Artistic Gymnastics Championships Days Away, Shilese Jones Sends a Message of Contention