Kuala lumpur: A lingering knee injury has not dampened national artistic gymnast Muhammad Sharul Aimy Kamaru Hisam's determination to compete at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games from Sept 19 to Oct 4.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, better known as Sharul Aimy, the 24-year-old admitted that he was disappointed upon learning the extent of his injury after returning from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games earlier this month. However, he remains determined to compete in Japan, as the opportunity to participate in the Asian Games only comes once every four years.

Sharul Aimy expressed his eagerness not to miss the opportunity, acknowledging the uncertainty of future prospects and the influx of younger competitors. He emphasized his commitment to giving his all, despite the challenges posed by his injury, and shared these sentiments during a visit by the Chef de Mission (CDM) and Deputy Chef de Mission (DCDM) to the training venues for artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and karate in preparation for the 2026 Asian Games at the National Sports Council (NSC), Bukit Jalil.

Currently, Sharul Aimy is undergoing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection treatment as he strives to regain full fitness before departing for Japan. He revealed the setback of discovering a meniscus tear upon returning from the Commonwealth Games, which necessitated starting his recovery process from scratch.

The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games men's vault bronze medallist expressed hope that the PRP treatment would enable him to perform at his best at the upcoming Asian Games. He also mentioned the possibility of undergoing surgery for the fifth time if he does not achieve optimal condition post-Games.

Due to his injury, Sharul Aimy has recalibrated his medal expectations for Aichi-Nagoya, viewing reaching the finals as an achievement in itself. Currently, the 2025 SEA Games gold medallist has not resumed intensive training and is concentrating on fitness and basic training during his recovery period.