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      <p><span>The talented and charming Terengganu-born gymnast is poised to take the sporting arena by storm, dazzling audiences and setting new records along the way.</span></p>
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      <p><span>When he was 11 years old, Sharul Aimy and his brother chanced upon a trampoline in their school gymnasium. While exploring the piece of equipment, Sharul felt that he could do more than jumps, twists and flips on it. And with that, he took this passion to the next level and participated in a gymnastic competition organised by the Terengganu State Sports Council (MSST).</span></p>
      <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;I was just trying my luck at that time and did not have any high expectations to go further. However, my team and I tried our best, and it took us by surprise that they (Malaysian School Sports Council) saw my potential and offered me a place in the national team,&rdquo; Sharul explains eagerly.</span></p>
      <p><span>Confidently recounting his debut performance in the Commonwealth Games, where no Malaysian artistic gymnast had reached the final since Ng Shu Wai&rsquo;s feat at the 2006 Melbourne Games, Sharul&rsquo;s pride in being the first to break the record should not be mistaken as arrogance. He is an indisputably accomplished guy who is down to earth with a perpetual smile. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a bit of a proud moment for me to enter the final stage in the event, but I never see myself as the best in the game as there are still a lot more things for me to learn. However, it&rsquo;s never impossible for me to reach the top,&rdquo; he says.</span></p>
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      <p><span>As we speak, his next big stage at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia is happening in less than 3 weeks and the nation is betting on gold from Sharul. Seeming to be taking it all in stride this late afternoon, he lounges on the wood-framed sofa, casually dressed in shorts and an Adidas T-shirt. He exudes effortlessness and a self-assuredness beyond his youth.</span></p>
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            <p><span>&ldquo;I feel very calm right now, the pressure for the game has not set in yet. Maybe it will come nearer to the event, but as of now, I&rsquo;m pretty happy with the routine and training that my team and I have gone through. However, it is quite a challenge for me to train during the fasting month and I have six events to work on. Endurance and thirst are the greatest enemies, but I just have to keep my head in the game.&rdquo;</span></p>
            <p><span>Like other sportspersons, Sharul has experienced ups and downs in his field. Earlier in 2021, he suffered a major ankle injury during training which prompted him to reconsider his journey in the sport. &ldquo;I was very depressed with my condition at that time and I could not think of anything else rather than calling it quits, but every time I wanted to throw in the towel, I would remember how far I have gone in this sport. All the sacrifices that I, my team, my coach and especially my family &mdash; my ultimate supporters &mdash; have put in to make sure that I reach my goal. After dealing with my negative thoughts, I decided that nothing was going to hold me back. I got myself back into the gym to train my upper body while allowing my ankle to recover fully.&rdquo;</span></p>
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      <p><span>Gifted as he is in gymnastics, Sharul also has quite an eye for fashion. Before the photoshoot, he peruses each outfit slowly, examining the colour, texture, and silhouette, and assessing how it complements his individuality. &ldquo;I like the Moschino jacket that I wore just now,&rdquo; he points out. &ldquo;I have always loved fashion since I was a kid, but I&rsquo;m just a little too shy to experiment with different kinds of outfits. I like something that is on point, minimalist with a wow factor here and there. However, nothing works if it&rsquo;s not comfortable to wear,&rdquo; he continues.</span></p>
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            <p><span>Over the year, he has also made appearances at a few high-profile fashion events as well as starred in fashion and athleisure wear campaigns. &ldquo;I love to try out new things. It&rsquo;s always good to see how far I can push myself.&rdquo; As much as he wants to venture into other realms, time is limited. &ldquo;My daily routine starts at around 7 AM and I&rsquo;ll be at the jungle gym for two hours, followed by classes from 10 AM until 2 PM. Then at 3 PM, I&rsquo;ll move into the gymnasium for training until 7 or 7:30 PM,&rdquo; Sharul explains. &ldquo;Enough rest is a tough option but I always keep in mind that diligent individuals will thrive. So, I&rsquo;ll just keep pulling myself up.&rdquo;</span></p>
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      <p style="text-align: center;"><span>&ldquo;Tough times are always on the horizon no matter how hard we try to make things look good. However, never do things by halves. Just keep going and you&rsquo;ll find light at the end of the tunnel.&rdquo;</span></p>
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      <p><span>Endowed with a luminous, unblemished complexion with flawlessly even tone and texture, except for hints of eye bags, Sharul is the picture of fresh youthfulness and vitality. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t use any skincare,&rdquo; he chuckles. He displays cheekiness when asked about his skincare routine. &ldquo;I just wash my face with water after training and before going to bed, and that&rsquo;s that. There was this one time I tried using face cleanser and moisturiser and I woke up to a few zits here and there. Maybe it was the wrong type of skincare that I had used but I just trust water after that,&rdquo; he continues.</span></p>
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      <p><span>Though just 22 years old, Sharul&rsquo;s keen perception and discernment speak of maturity far beyond what one might expect of his age. His words, carefully chosen and meaningful, and his ideas, inventive and original, reveal a person with great vision. &ldquo;Tough times are always on the horizon no matter how hard we try to make things look good. However, never do things by halves. Just keep going and you&rsquo;ll find light at the end of the tunnel.&rdquo;</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Words &amp; fashion direction <strong>Syazil Abd Rahim</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Photography <strong>Herbeyap</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Grooming <strong>Syamiel Idid</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Hair <strong>Nicole Ng</strong></p>
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      <p style="text-align: center;"><span>Special thanks to Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF)</span></p>
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Interview: Sharul Aimy and his star quality

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