Unlike Gabby Douglas, Shilese Jones Walks Through Fire Continuing Training with Injured Shoulder

Gabby Douglas’ journey to the French capital ended abruptly because of her ankle injury. But many of her colleagues are determined to push through despite adversities. After the Core Hydration Classic, the upcoming Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships will be the last big pit stop before the Olympic Team Trials. And it seems that Shilese Jones isn’t letting go of the chance to make it to her maiden games in July.

In a recent post on X by Gymnastics Now, Jones’ resolute mindset ahead of the big showdown in Paris has been shed light upon. Jones had a close call with a labrum injury two years ago. That amplified after the Core Hydration Classic meet. But the two-time World Championships gold medalist isn’t giving up without a fight at the Xfinity US Championships set to raise its curtains at Forth Worth.

“Shilese Jones is managing an injury to her right shoulder that flared up after Classic — to the point she couldn’t raise her arm shortly after that meet.” informed a post by the X handle of Gymnastics Now. The accompanying short video shows Jones sharpening her skills on the beam. Shilese’s past injury will also require her to undergo shoulder surgery at some point, but the Washington native refused to let the setback dictate her career right now.

The post notes that the 2018 PanAm Championships gold medalist is “not giving up on herself.” She succinctly proved that at the Core Hydration Classic. With 57.650, Shilese placed second in the meet, right behind Simone Biles. With that, she once again solidified her position as the No. 2 athlete of Team USA. But, such a tug-of-war with injuries is nothing new for Jones.

In January 2021, Jones faced a terrible accident. A car hit her head-on while going around a traffic circle. That left her with a fractured back and foot. After a four-month battle against that, she took part in the Olympic trials securing 10th position. Although she missed her spot on the national team on that occasion, her grit remained unscathed. But the 21-year-old, who declares “I am a fighter,” had more to prove.

After her triumph at the World Championships, Shilese Jones got into a long battle with injuries. A torn labrum in her shoulder and an ankle that’s “been a little off since Worlds in October” (2022) kept her on her toes. It took her almost 10 months to come back to the competitive arena at the 2023 US Championships. And it never looked like she had been away for so long. With an all-around score of 114.550, she sat at the back of Simone Biles while taking the top spot in the uneven bars (29.900). Since then, she has been on a roll.

She was on the verge of achieving the unthinkable at the world’s selection camp. She gave none other than Simone Biles a cutthroat competition and, at one point, it looked as if she might make the shocker happen. But on uneven bars, her feet hit the mat during her set, costing her more than a point and the title. At the worlds, she grabbed the all-around bronze in her first international championship debut. With all that, she has been firmly approaching her goal to make it to the Olympic team. But the path is tough.

Shilese Jones looks at hefty competition

Two of the last three Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Suni Lee will be participating at the Xfinity US Championship with the intention of bolstering their claims for a spot in the national team that will bear the USA’s flag at the French capital later this year. Along with them, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, who finished the Core Hydration in third and fourth places respectively, are also set to appear on the second and fourth days of the upcoming event. WOGA’s Skye Blakely and University of Florida’s Leanne Wong are also on the entry list and Shilese will have to pull up her socks well.

However, Jones won’t be entering the event without a few aces up her sleeve either. Dominic Zito, the person responsible for the eloquently choreographed routines of Team USA that stunned the world in 2016, has been training with Shilese ahead of the Xfinity Championship, and fans believe some spectacular scenes are warranted. To top it off, Shilese is not the one to be intimidated by big names.

In 2023, while the world was immersed in Simone Biles’ comeback, Shilese asserted, “No matter who comes back, my goals are still the same.” Therefore, even with an injured shoulder, she is indeed set to become a formidable opponent. As the last major tournament before the Olympic Team Trials awaits, share your predictions about Jones’ scores with us below.