Sharul in Birmingham.
ARTISTIC men gymnast Mohd Sharul Aimy has proved that he is a new star in the making and that too in only his first attempt.
On Friday, the debutant Sharul flexed his muscle to end the country’s 16-year wait by reaching the final of the vault apparatus after finishing sixth with a score of 13.950 points in the qualifying round.
No Malaysian artistic gymnast has reached the final since Ng Shu Wai’s feat at the 2006 Melbourne Games. Then, Shu Wai did not only qualify for the floor exercise final but made the country proud by winning a silver medal.
Sharul, 21, has the charisma and character to emulate Shu Wai’s footsteps, says National Sports Council (NSC) Athletes Division director Jefri Ngadirin.
“To be in the final is already an achievement for Sharul since this is his first Commonwealth Games. We believed in him and knew he would do great and after his fine performance at the SEA Games in Hanoi (in May,” said Jefri,
Potential champ: Mohd Sharul Aimy has the charisma and character to emulate Ng Shu Wai’s footsteps.
At the Games last month, he won bronze in the pommel horse and finished fifth in the vault.
Jefri said there had been improvement in his performance since he was promoted to the Podium programme last year.
“He excelled under the Pelapis (back-up squad), which gave him a lot of support. Based on his showing here, he is absolutely on the right track to become the next Shu Wai.
“He has the right attitude and the right physique too. With more exposure and opportunities, I believe he will produce results like Shu Wai.
Shu Wai and his brother Shu Liang are also in Birmingham as the women and men’s team coaches.
Sharul also competed in the floor exercise and pommel horse but did not make the top eight final cut.
In the pommel horse, he finished 21st with 12.000 points while he came in 27th in the floor exercise with 10.900.
