So we're restricting modes now? Are Lee's gates restricted? Is Neji's Byakugan which shows him the best places to hit restricted? Come on now. So what if Shika did figure that in his statement? I never said she wasn't right below him just that Shika, the in-story smartest of the group, praised him for his strength.
They're both brawler style fighters with mid - mid/high skill and high power, they're similar with Choji edging out the power trait. Also according to the stat books he was above her in Taijutsu the 1st two books and even in the third, he's tied in speed the 1st two and one down in the 3rd, he's above in strength and stamina.