The 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship 2023 marked its beginning on the 30th of September bringing along the eagle eyes of the spectators. The event is highly sought after for the recognition and the platform it provides for gymnasts around the world. Now as some of the best in the field pull up for the event, two names stand to make rounds amongst the enthusiasts.

Rebecca Andrade, the rising star of the Brazilian Gymnastics, and Shilese Jones; holding a similar position in Team USA. Starting off from the qualifiers round, it has been a cut-throat contention between the two gymnasts. While Jones placed 2nd on the all-around top 24 with 56.932, Andrade placed just points behind at 4th with 56.599. While the rivalry shines at the 2023 Worlds, the venue was not the origin. Going against each other previously in Liverpool, it was the Brazilian that reigned successfully ahead of Shilese Jones. But now as the two have returned, the cordial rivalry follows along.

Shilese Jones reigns for a brief second

The all-around finals for the women’s gymnastics took off on the evening of the 6th of October at Antwerp. As the teams continued to work their best, the results after 3 rotations for the day were a winner for Shilese Jones; who had previously lost to Rebecca at the 2022 Worlds. At Liverpool, Rebecca scoring 56.899 points, won the all-around title, while Jones placed second with 55.399. Jones going in for an avenge succeeded for a brief moment. The revealed results placed Shilese Jones on a pedestal as she managed to emerge atop Rebecca Andrade with -0.934.

However, the epiphany couldn’t last long. Though Shilese outperformed Rebecca in Uneven Bars and Balance Beam, the latter lasted further with a total score of 56.766. Though the day witnesses an end to the contention, the rivalry remains; persisting through the competition.

Also Read: “Portray Me as Inconsistent”: Shilese Jones Slams Haters After Team USA’s Historic Win at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

Shilese and Rebecca through the 2023 Worlds Gymnastics Championship

Shilese Jones entered the championship with the aim of dominance and resilience. Taking up the ground over the course of the event, Shilese stepped alongside Simone Biles to stir the team toward a victory. Delivering performances nothing short of a marvel, Shilese placed herself in the top 8 of all apparatus but one; the vault. Interestingly, the mentioned apparatus is just the focus of the rival on the other side. 

Rebecca Andrade with her many accolades has specifically won a title on vault. In the 2021 Worlds and 2020 Olympics, Rebecca has reigned a champion on the apparatus. Continuing along, the gymnast placed second on the vault with 14.700 right behind Simone Biles. As for Shilese, the gymnast shuns through the uneven bars. Jones has won a silver on the uneven bars in the 2022 Worlds and placed 4th on the apparatus with 14.633; above Rebecca. 

Heading into the apparatus finals on the 8th, Rebecca and Shilese will face each other in two of the events; Balance Beam, and floor exercise. The two compellingly have canceled each other out on their best apparatus. Now with changing outcomes, the spectators eagerly await either the turn tables or the persisting results.

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