If the Core Hydration Classic showed the dawn, Shilese Jones is doing everything she can to make the rest of her day look equally good. With the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships coming up, this is the final lap, and the 21-year-old needs to up her game if she wants to make it to Paris for the upcoming Olympics. However, the road looks pretty steep already.

Only hours ago, the country’s gymnastics community learned about the shoulder injury that has been casting a long shadow over Shilese’s big plans for her maiden Games. However, considering how she clinched a second-place finish at Core Hydration Classic, it seems like she’s determined to push through all the troubles to etch her name among the elites of the sport.

In a recent conversation with Olympics.com Shilese Jones revealed her resolute mentality despite the two-year-old labrum injury once again rearing its treacherous head. There, Shilese’s statements made to the media have been shared ahead of the upcoming Texas event, which will serve as the last stepping stone before next month’s National Team Trials.

“I feel like you can’t be 100% in every meet and expect to go for 1,000% at trials,” Jones was quoted saying. “[It’s] just getting ten steps better for trials, so I’m 100% ready then.” elaborated the gymnast further. Her iron will was elaborated further in an X post by Inside Gymnastics as well, where fans can witness her impressive training session. “It’s not a setback, but just a mind setback.” Jones was heard saying as the tweet hailed her “stunning” toe point and leg strength.

While it waits to be seen how Jones works things out over the weekend, she has been slowly getting into the groove for months. And on that way, nothing stops her. Last year, at the worlds selection camp, she shocked everyone by almost defeating Simone Biles. A small hitch in her uneven bars routine did not make that stunner happen ultimately. But the glare of her talent was evident. “No matter who comes back, my goals are still the same,” Shilese had asserted on that occasion, referring to Simone Biles’ comeback. Her shoulder and ankle injuries and a car crash kept her on the sidelines for almost 10 months, but she hasn’t let that keep her down.

Shilese Jones fighting the battle on multiple fronts

At last year’s US Championships, Shilese seemed to have her head in the game, but that didn’t mean that her insides weren’t turbulent. “I’m just trying to get over a shoulder injury and a foot injury right now.” said the gymnast last August while also making it clear that she is her biggest competitor. “I’m… super hard on myself…Even if I’m at the smallest competition, I’m like, ‘This needs to be perfect…I take each and every competition very seriously,’” Shilese was heard saying before bagging the All-Around silver medal in San Jose last year.

With 2023 being one of the best years of her career, Jones set her sights high, and making the 2024 Olympic team became the sole focus with every passing day. At last year’s World Championships as well, Shilese excelled alongside Simone Biles and went on to clinch another bronze medal (all-around). At the tournament, she became the second gymnast since Kyla Ross to make it to four individual finals at the event.

“I’m a fighter,” said Jones after the World Championships, underscoring her heightened appetite to prove herself after being left out of the 2020 Olympic team despite being the second-highest finisher. While Shilese continues to improve her scores with every passing event, it waits to be seen what the weekend holds for the aspiring gymnast whose goals continue to keep her motivated for the ultimate prize to stay afloat.