Weight off his shoulders as Jeremiah gets ready for competition

PETALING JAYA: National artistic gymnast Jeremiah Loo Phay Xiang (pic) can’t wait for competitions to start now that he is free from a shoulder injury.

The 23-year-old has been on top form during training under the quarantine-based approach in Bukit Jalil.

“I’m delighted to declare that my shoulder problem is no longer a bother for me,” said the 2017 SEA Games pommel horse champion.

“The quarantine concept right now is pretty good and works absolutely well for me because I am keeping myself in shape and competitive.”

Jeremiah had picked up the injury in June 2019 and aggravated it during the Philippines’ SEA Games in December the same year.

And throughout 2020, the Penangite had to concentrate on rehabilitation and recovery programmes and couldn’t do much on the apparatus.

Mentality he is ready to strut his skills on the apparatus.

“Physically and mentally, I’m ready to compete again once we are allowed to go for tournaments,” he said.

Jeremiah’s eyes are fixated on the Vietnam SEA Games in November, but he knows that the competition for spots in the team will be more challenging this year.

The other gymnasts in the senior team are Ng Chun Chen, Luqman Al-Hafiz, Teoh Chuen Feng, Mohd Sharul Aimy, Tan Fu Jie and Zul Bahrin Mat Asri.

“The young ones like Luqman, Sharul, Chun Chen and Chuen Feng are outstanding. I think, there will be a tough fight between us to get the slots in the SEA Games team line-up.

“I’m ready for it, though, that’s for sure.”