“Keeping that grind”, Gymnast Jordan Chiles reveals how being named after NBA legend Michael Jordan pushes her to work beyond limits
The American gymnast has revealed how being named after one of the greatest athletes helps her to stay motivated and grind more.
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[Jordan Chiles (left) Michael Jordan (right)]
Renowned author William Shakespeare four centuries ago said what’s in a name? Back then he felt that name did not matter that much. Fast forwarding to the 21st century, the name means everything. It’s an expression of one’s identity and uniqueness. Being named after a great individual could mean a heavy burden on your shoulder. One of them is the uprising athlete Jordan Chiles.
The 22-year-old gymnast is named after probably one of the greatest athletes of all time, Michael Jordan. Chiles seems to love the pressure of carrying this name. Recently she revealed that her mother was “a huge fan” of the NBA legend and thus decided to name her after him.
After her college season came to an end this weekend, the young gymnast announced that she will begin her training for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Using the eponym of Jordan helps her to break her boundaries and try harder. “Keeping that grind, keeping that motivation, keeping that dedication, is something that’s always stuck with me,” Chiles said.
Chiles is hoping that she gets a chance to meet the legend in person. “I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll actually be able to meet him and just get his advice for being somebody that looks upto him.”
Related: “Almost time to say “I do,” An emotional Simone Biles shares her marriage license on social media
Jordan Chiles has made an impressive start to her gymnastics career
Well, being named after Jordan was likely to bring in comparisons. Chiles began her career as a gymnast in 2013. She was able to show her talent at the American Classic that year. Her performance helped her snatch the bronze medal in the all-around event. She was also able to pick up a silver medal in the vault event. At P&G Championships later that year, she finished in an eleventh position which helped her secure a place in the Junior national team.
She arrived on the international stage a year later. She would win her first gold medal with her team. It was in 2017 when she graced the senior circuit. At the American Classic, she only took part in the balance beam and uneven bars. She would go on to finish fifth and fourth respectively.
This past Thursday, at the NCAA Championship, Chiles won the bar and floor titles. She earned a perfect score of 10 on the bars and a 9.9875 score on the floor. She is now on her way toward a vacation before starting her preparations for the big event next year.
Speaking of Michael Jordan, he is not just a legend, he is considered a global icon. His list of accolades is pretty big. The six-time NBA champion is often considered to be an integral part of basketball’s popularity through the 80s and 90s.
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Siddid Dey Purkayastha
(528 Articles Published)