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INSPIRED by the 2000 American teen cheerleading comedy film, ‘Bring It On’, J was immediately drawn towards the world of Cheer and thus started his journey with Cheer Aspirations PLT at a tender age of 10 which has only progressed since.
Although starting out in cheerleading was rather traumatic, being the only Indian boy among girls, nothing could stand in his way from 'bringing it on'.
“I was a little embarrassed at first but I really love performing, especially in Cheer. When I first saw Cheer, I felt like it was something I had to do. I felt the need to go all out for it, but that’s just how I am with the things I like and want to do well,” shared J passionately.
Despite his supportive parents, as a young child, it was not surprising J was at the end of some backlash from his schoolmates and hesitant stares from his young female teammates.
The common misconception that cheerleading is only for girls did hit J, but being the hyperactive kid that he was, he kept at it with full gusto; soon making some life-long friends within the Cheer community.
Already a gymnast when he started with Cheer, it was just a step up for him from gymnastics.
J believes that since co-ed cheerleading exists beyond the borders of Malaysia, our nation would do well to emulate that.
Soon he found himself looking forward to high school which had a co-ed Cheer team.
Unfortunately, the bias towards male cheerleaders did not change in time as J still faced sceptics in high school, even though he had a group of supportive friends, and it was then that his family started to have a rethink on his position in Cheer.
“People would say things but it wasn’t anything too serious; and usually, I would get back at them with a sassy clap back before turning and leaving.
“It was also in high school that my family members started to question a little more, thinking that it (Cheer) was just a passing phase in primary school. But after showing them my improvement, they resumed being supportive.”
J did note that the reason his family was supportive of him in the sport partly due to the fact that he kept his sexuality quiet.
That being said, J identified as a homosexual person since young, but it has never had a negative impact on his performance in the sport.
“Being gay is not just about being feminine and stuff. When I look at girls, I don't get the same feeling as when I look at guys.
“My sexuality has never came in the way especially in Cheer. This is a sport that I love and am going to give my 100 per cent in it regardless.”
A common insult that J received in high school from his coursemates was that “cheerleading is a gay thing.”
And J’s common clap-back would be, “Do what I do. Do a flip. Lift another girl respectfully without staring up her skirt.”
And even through a screen, The Vibes could feel this all or nothing attitude coming through even as J shared how he started flying.
Flyers in cheerleading are the people in the air during a stunt, commonly done by the petite girls in a co-ed team and being the centre of attraction as she is thrown up in the air before flipping and coming back down.
Being petite himself, J shared that he has his limits when it comes to being the base for a flyer. But as a flyer, he is able to do anything.
Even before approaching his coach at Cheer Aspirations PLT for an opportunity to try out flying, J spent time on the trampoline practising drills and skills, which he recorded and showed his coach.
Only after a year was he given the opportunity to fly when his team’s main flyer was injured. By then, he was ready and fired up.
It wasn’t till the end of 2018 when he peaked, joined Cheer Aces and took off.
For J, the all-star team was a great shift from his previous one not only because he was already established and ready for something new, but that he was with a group of people who were focused and supportive.
“In (Cheer) Aces, the coach was really down to let me try anything. That’s what I like about Cheer Aces, if you want to try something, just try it, don't be scared.”
While J does come with a sassy personality, it has done nothing but made him a better cheerleader.
Occasionally, he does get the passing joke that he is able to perform perky cheers and performances and expressions better because of his sexuality, but his response is, “Duh!”, with a flare of sassy head shake.
When The Vibes asked about his greatest struggle in Cheer, he shared about his SPM year where it was a fight to the finish as he had to juggle between studies and Cheer.
He had to commute between Cheras, where he was studying, and Cheer Aspirations PLT in Subang, where he trained three to four times a week.
“That was the toughest time, juggling between school and Cheer. But I insisted on doing both even though many advised me against it. You just have to put your head to it.”
Do note that his greatest struggle sounds just as stereotypical as any other athlete across the board, regardless of their sexuality.
With every circumstance and comment that J received, he believes that without the sassy attitude of his, he would not be where he is in Cheer.
J did make it into Team Malaysia and won silver at the 2019 Asia Cheerleading Invitational Championships in Singapore; always with a winning mentality, going for gold and nothing less.
Due to the recent pandemic, Cheer has been put on hold, but J looks forward to the day when he can 'bring it on' again.
The common misconception that an athlete’s sexuality is related to their sports or vice versa is clearly a myth. Any form of insult from those unaccepting of them due to our own prejudice was reflected in our previous article Sporting Pride Day.
We look forward to a time when an athlete’s sexuality does not affect the public's perception on their athletic abilities. - The Vibes, 20 June, 2021
*As a tribute to J’s inspiration for Cheer, ‘Bring It On,’ and his fun personality, a few other Cheer movie titles have been incorporated into this feature. Let’s see if any of it pop off.
