Asian Games could be Sharul Aimy's last chance amid injury struggles

Malaysian gymnast Muhammad Sharul Aimy is determined to compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, even with a meniscus tear. The injury, diagnosed after the 2026 Commonwealth Games, has forced him to adjust his ambitions from medal contention to reaching the finals.

"This event only happens once every four years, so I definitely don't want to miss the opportunity. We don't know what will happen in four years," Sharul stated. He believes this might be his final Asian Games appearance as younger gymnasts are expected to rise. "So, now I will give everything I have," he added.

Sharul has about a month to assess his fitness before deciding whether to increase the difficulty of his routines. "Before this, I was aiming for a medal, but after getting the results about this injury, I feel that even reaching the final would be okay," he explained. He is undergoing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and restarting his recovery process. Doctors have indicated that if he cannot perform well after the Asian Games, he might require a fifth surgery.

Despite the disappointment, Sharul acknowledges the tough competition from top gymnasts in Japan, China, South Korea, and the Philippines. His immediate focus is on regaining peak physical condition without further injury before heading to Japan.