Lifting bars - Making Space for Inclusion | Aini Mohd Yasli | TEDxNTU

Quick Overview

Aini Mohd Yasli shares her personal journey of overcoming societal stereotypes and her physical disability, Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia (MED), by finding strength and identity in para powerlifting, culminating in competing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Key Points: Aini Mohd Yasli has Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia (MED), a condition where her bones do not fit together properly, causing instability and joint pain throughout her life. She initially disliked being associated with the word "short" and was embarrassed by her height until she started embracing it. After trying various sports, she found her place in para powerlifting, which suited her shorter limbs, allowing her to compete in events like the 120kg bench press. She competed internationally, representing Singapore in the World Championships, Asian Para Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Aini highlights overcoming common stereotypes such as "Girls should not be doing sports," "Powerlifting will make you look like a man," and the assumption that women's categories are less competitive. Her personal best lift in para powerlifting was 81kg in the bench press, achieved during her third attempt at a competition in Dubai 2021. She now works at Republic Polytechnic's School of Sports and Health, teaching sociology of sport, health, and leisure, and continues to mentor children with disabilities through Playbuddy.

Context: This TEDxNTU talk, titled "Lifting bars - Making Space for Inclusion," is a personal narrative delivered by Aini Mohd Yasli. She discusses her experience growing up with Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia (MED), a genetic bone disorder, and how she navigated societal perceptions of her short stature and gender roles in sports before discovering and excelling in para powerlifting. The talk contrasts her early struggles with the triumphs she achieved in international para-sports competitions.

Detailed Analysis

Aini Mohd Yasli begins by sharing her life motto: "Life is short, So am I!" She recounts her early embarrassment over her height, which stems from being diagnosed at age six with Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia (MED), a condition causing joint instability and pain because her bone 'puzzle pieces' do not align properly. Her childhood involved avoiding activities like sports due to her condition, with one surgery at age ten attempting to correct her leg alignment unsuccessfully. She later tried various sports, including swimming and triathlon relays, but found that powerlifting suited her better, especially since her short limbs were an advantage in the bench press. She competed globally, including in the Asian Para Games and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, achieving a personal best of 81kg in the bench press at the Dubai 2021 World Para Powerlifting competition. Aini addresses the negative stereotypes she faced, such as being told girls shouldn't do sports or that powerlifting would make her look masculine, and the incorrect assumption that the women's category is less competitive. After retiring from competitive sports, she transitioned to teaching Sociology of Sport, Health, and Leisure at Republic Polytechnic and volunteers with Playbuddy, an adaptive play group, to show children with disabilities that what they perceive as weaknesses can become strengths, encouraging them to thrive and grow.