PETALING JAYA: Winning a ticket to the Commonwealth Games is a dream come true for national gymnast Mohd Sharul Aimy (pic).
Selected under the quota system given by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to Malaysia, the Terengganu athlete will carry the nation’s challenge in men’s artistic gymnastics in Birmingham, England from July 28-Aug 8.
At the Hanoi SEA Games last month, he won bronze for the pommel horse and finished fifth in the vault.
Prior to the SEA Games, the 20-year-old participated in two World Cups in Cairo, Egypt (March 17-20) and Baku, Azerbaijan (March 31-April 4).
In Cairo, he finished seventh with 13.599 points in vault. In Baku, he came in 10th in the vault with 13.983 points and 42nd in the pommel horse with 10.333.
For Sharul, getting to the Commonwealth Games is huge and he can’t wait to compete at the Arena Birmingham.
“It’s a dream come true. The Commonwealth Games will be the biggest achievement in my career so far, so obviously, there is excitement but I’m nervous at the same time.
“However, my outing in the SEA Games has kind of helped me,” he said.
“After the SEA Games, I realised some of my weaknesses. So now, I am working to improve my starting value, learning some new skills and making sure that my routines are clean during my training sessions.
“In Birmingham, I will be taking part in all the apparatuses but I aim to qualify for the vault and floor exercise final.”
Sharul said he is not setting any targets as it will be his first Commonwealth Games.
“I want to do my best. I believe the gymnasts from England, Wales and Australia will pose a strong challenge in Birmingham,” said Sharul who will have his coach Ng Shu Liang for company.
“He is always keeping me motivated and advising me to just stay focused on the competition.”
