Shilese Jones balances injuries and her own expectations in competitive return: 'I'm super hard on myself'
The 2022 world silver medallist returns to competition for the first time in nearly 10 months after shoulder and ankle issues.
Artistic Gymnastics
2022 World all-around silver medallist Shilese Jones didn’t look like an athlete readying for her first competitive appearance in 10 months Thursday (24 August 2023) during official practice at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California.
The 21-year-old from the Pacific Northwest appeared relaxed, confident and ready as she ran through routines on all four events in a soft pink leotard.
But beyond what Jones showed on the field of play lies a nearly yearlong push through injury – a torn labrum in her shoulder and an ankle that’s “been a little off since Worlds in October” – that’s been somewhat of a setback.
“I wouldn’t say [it’s] my fullest potential I could be putting out on the floor right now,” explained Jones during a media availability prior to the workout. “I’m just trying to get over a shoulder injury and a foot injury right now. Right now, I would say I’m about 80 percent, 75 percent of what I’m looking forward to.”
Like most elite athletes – especially gymnasts – Jones admits that despite the challenges she’s faced in 2023, she finds it hard to lower her own expectations and those of others who saw her success in 2022 as a signal that she’d be one to watch as the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris approach.
“I’m… super hard on myself,” Jones said. “Even if I’m at the smallest competition, I’m like, ‘This needs to be perfect.’ Whatever I’m doing, you know, try to do it the best of my ability, so I take each and every competition very seriously.”
Still, Jones looked to be in fine form, having showed a clean Yurchenko double twist on vault, smooth and powerful work on the uneven bars, an upgraded series on the balance beam and a new tumbling pass on the floor exercise.
When competition begins Friday (25 August), she will be among the favourites to land on the all-around podium.
Rising expectations
Second a year ago at nationals to Konnor McClain, who is not competing in San Jose, Jones took her U.S. championships success to the world stage where she helped Team USA to a historic sixth-straight team gold medal and took all-around and bars silver medals.
That experience, she says, helps her fill in the gaps from not having competed yet this season, but it also raises in the bar.
“The goals are super higher now,” admitted Jones. “I was just grateful to make that worlds team [last year]. It’d been a goal of mine forever.”
This year in Antwerp, Jones says she’s dreaming of an individual world title on the uneven bars.
“I’m also coming for number one for a bars medal at Worlds,” said Jones.
She’s taken a cautious approach, deciding not to compete at the U.S. Classic in order to be more prepared for the U.S. nationals and – hopefully – even higher highs at the Worlds.
“With the injury and stuff, I was able to be on bars for a little bit and that took a toll for a little bit,” Jones explained. “That’s why I was just like I’m kind of gonna rest this week for Classics and push a little bit harder and reach Championships.
“I feel pretty confident with what I’m doing right here at this competition,” she continued, “and looking forward to the next month.”