EXCLUSIVE: Comparing Simone Biles and Shilese Jones, Gymnastics Coach Sarah Korngold Decodes: “It’s So Hard for Her”

Shilese Jones has come a long way since narrowly missing out on her shot at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Remember how she was just one spot away from making the team? Now, she’s gearing up for her second go at the Olympic Trials, landing a solid spot on the 2024 Senior Women’s National Team. It’s been quite the journey and a full circle moment for this once-underdog who trailed to placing 10th at the 2021 Olympic trials. Along the way, she has found herself in the spotlight alongside none other than the illustrious Simone Biles.

In 2023, Jones’s stellar performances kept Biles on her toes at numerous national events, sparking inevitable comparisons between the two gymnasts. Despite their shared nationality and mutual respect, the unavoidable contrast between their styles and strengths has fueled discussions of their respective capabilities in gymnastics, particularly in executing daring routines.

Ahead of the upcoming Olympic trials, Shilese Jones’s coach, Sarah Korngold, has shared her insights in her Exclusive Interview with EssentiallySports, shedding light on what makes Shilese stand out from the unstoppable force that is Simone Biles. In the exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Sarah Korngold, the mentor behind Shilese Jones, tackled the inevitable comparison between her protégé and the legendary Simone Biles with finesse.

Korngold emphasized their unique qualities, stating, “I mean, they’re just very different gymnasts, right?“ Highlighting the physical contrast, she pointed out that while Simone Biles (4 feet 8 inches) stands as one of the shortest on the national team, Shilese Jones (5 feet 3 inches) boasts remarkable height. Korngold delved into the intricacies, using the example of vault performances to elucidate the impact of their stature.

She also highlighted how Biles’s shorter stature offers her a distinct advantage, allowing her to execute a swift round-off and hit the table at a lower angle, resulting in greater repulsion. In contrast, Coach Korngold told EssentiallySports that Jones, standing a whole foot taller, faces the challenge of adjusting her technique for optimal performance.

Korngold said, “She has to get that round off over faster, but it’s so hard for her to get in low. If she can vault on the men’s table and she’s taller than most of the men’s gymnasts, then you know, we could get in better. And so stuff like that just needs to be taken into consideration a little bit, but she’s super physically gifted, and yeah, they’re just totally different.” 

Korngold eloquently juxtaposed the performances and techniques of Shilese Jones and Simone Biles, highlighting their contrasting strengths. She described Jones as “tall and lean,“ with a graceful swinging motion, while Biles “is more compact and does these incredible skills with excellent execution.“

However, beyond their individual attributes, Korngold also expressed immense gratitude for the privilege of witnessing both athletes compete on the same stage and contribute to Team USA’s global prominence. “I feel so fortunate to get to watch them both all the time,“ she mused. As we reflect on these words, let’s take a moment to consider how Shilese Jones used these strengths to push Simone Biles to excel throughout the events of 2023.

How did Shilese Jones keep Simone Biles on her toes?

In 2023, upon returning from Antwerp, Shilese Jones opened up about getting to represent Team USA with Simone Biles at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, sharing, “Honestly, she is so inspiring. You know, to have someone older in the gymnastics community and to go out there and hit routine after routine meant so much. Honestly, to have The GOAT out there, as she calls herself, is just unreal to be up there on the podium with her.“

While they dazzled on the world stage, their rivalry on the national circuit, from the 2023 Core Hydration Classic to the 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships and even the 2023 Worlds and Pan Am Games Selection Camp, fueled competitive spirit. Biles narrowly edged past Shilese, securing consecutive first-place golds while Shi clinched silver. This trend persisted into the World Championship, where this synergy saw them share the World Cup twice during the team and all-around finals.

This clash of American strength continued into their debut competition in 2024 at the Core Hydration Classic, where Biles once again dominated, clinching the top spot with an impressive all-around score while Shilese Jones took home the silver. Their competition was highly anticipated at the 2024 Nationals and despite sitting out the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Shilese’s undeniable talent earned her a well-deserved spot on the 2024 U.S. women’s national team, alongside Simone Biles.

As these two talented American women approach the Paris Olympics, fans are eager to witness their contrasting strengths propel them to the podium once more at Paris 2024. What are your thoughts on Coach Sarah Korngold’s insights? Share your thoughts below!