Despite being one of the favorite gymnasts after Simone Biles to qualify for the Paris Games, Shilese Jones’s dreams of being an Olympian will never come true! Even back in 2021, she was a sure-choice gymnast to qualify for the Tokyo Games, but she met with a car accident that injured her back and her ankle. Three years later, fate played its game again. The 21-year-old is out of 2024 Olympics contention after she landed off the vault in an awkward position on June 28.

While there aren’t any updates regarding what injury the young gymnast suffered, it seems she will again require the support of her coach, Sarah Korngold! Shilese Jones, the six-time World Gymnastics Championship medalist, was never alone in her struggles to bounce back. Her longtime coach was always the supporting pillar that held her high! So, let’s delve into the 21-year-old’s life and get to her coach better.

All about Shilese Jones’s coach, Sarah Korngold

“She’s in control of that and so I do kind of like that perspective of where, okay, you didn’t like that turn? What are you going to change to make it better?” Sarah Korngold said in an exclusive interview with EssestiallySports. Shilese Jones’ coach’s words came on how the gymnast valued her own opinion which helped her have better control over herself.

Sarah Korngold’s gymnastics coaching career started with training high school kids. With her persistent knowledge and ability, she has guided gymnasts of all levels over her career. Considering her impressive abilities, Team USA appointed her as their assistant coach in the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.

The successful partnership between Shilese Jones and her coach has helped her win two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes at the World Championships. Apart from that, she also became U.S. National Champion in uneven bars in 2022 and 2023. But how does Sarah Korngold guide Jones to attain heights?

Korngold believed that setting the right mindset is important

Being a popular gymnast is not easy. Talented gymnasts like Shilese Jones, have to tackle media attention, fan interaction, and multiple other external pressures that might affect their game. However, the 21-year-old has mastered the art of not caring about what others think. Thanks to her coach, Sarah Korngold! “If your opinion is the most important opinion, then….Okay, you don’t like that turn do better, right?” said her coach on how the gymnasts focus on her opinion rather than others.

But… but… for the second straight time, Shilese Jones is out of contention to achieve her Olympic dreams. Will her coach Sarah Korngold be able to help her bounce back and make a solid comeback again? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!