The much-awaited showdown in Antwerp, Belgium concluded with Team USA, Women Gymnastics grabbing gold. In all-around finals, after Simone Biles, one name shone, Shilese Jones. The Auburn Gymnast, winning two bronze medals in the all-around and uneven bars and a gold medal in the team event, has come a long way. Her gymnastics and personal journey wasn’t easy. From car accidents to losing her father just a few years ago and making a big comeback. Jones’s mindset is truly commendable.
Following this news, in a recent update, the gymnast has once again won millions of hearts. Along with being strong and brave, the American athlete is kind too. Jones recently took to her social media handle and added new glimpses post-off-season. Her story is breaking the internet and has left the gymnastics world in awe.
Gymnastics legend Shilese Jones gives back to the community
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jones faced numerous setbacks, even contemplating quitting gymnastics at one point. But it was her family and inner resilience that kept her going. Despite recovering and finding the right path, destiny had its plans. Sadly, she lost her biggest supporter, her father, due to health issues.
via Imago
Gymnastics – Artistic Gymnastics World Championships – Women s Individual All-Around Final Shilese Jones USA beam during Artistic Gymnastics World Championships – Women s Individual All-Around Final, Gymnastics in Liverpool, England, November 03 2022 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena England Copyright: xFilippoxTomasix/xLiveMediax
Nevertheless, Jones is a resilient and determined individual. After mourning and sharing a heartfelt note on Instagram, she resumed training to fulfill her father?s dream of winning gold at the Paris Olympics. Evidently, her outstanding performance in the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship attests to the intense dedication she puts into her training.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Along similar lines, after concluding the championship, she is on a break right now. She recently took her Instagram handle on October 10th, and shared a story, showcasing her giving back to the gymnastics community by providing kits to kids. She captioned the story, ?Amazing time giving back to the Seattle community,?
Jones has always been deeply connected to Seattle, where she was born and raised in Auburn. Now, Jones is pushing herself hard for the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite the challenges she faced after losing a cherished family member.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Shilese Jones’s Father’s dream
In January 2021, Jones faced a car accident, preventing her from joining the Olympic team at the Tokyo Olympics. The collision, occurring at a traffic circle, fractured her back and foot, leading to a three to four-month recovery. However, before her full recovery, tragedy struck again. Just five months later, she lost her father, Sylvester Jones, to kidney disease.
Sharing this heartbreaking news on her Instagram, Jones posted a photo with her dad in the hospital, expressing, ?My dad is my everything, he’s always been there. He’s like my rock. He’s kind of like my side person, there’s no fear and you’re going to be just like dad, you know, dads are super tough.? Following her father’s passing, Shilese faced uncertainty about her future but remained determined to fulfill her dad’s dream of seeing her on the Olympic stage.
As the Paris Olympics draw nearer, fans and supporters eagerly anticipate Jones’s upcoming championships, expecting her to create history in Rome.
Watch this story:?With World Artistic Gymnastics Championships Days Away, Shilese Jones Sends a Message of Contention
