As two similarly-aged sisters who compete in the same sport, the comparisons were inevitable. Surely either Nurul Suhaila or her elder sister Nurul Shafiqah – both decorated silat practitioners who started the sport together as youths – had some form of sibling rivalry going?
Not quite. There's nothing but love between the two siblings who finish each other's sentences and share a penchant for waffles and ice cream outside of the ring. When a recurrent knee injury forced Shafiqah to bow out of the sport some three years ago, it was Suhaila who was her pillar of support.
It took me a few months to really decide because we'd been doing silat together throughout our lives, says Shafiqah, 27. Later, when Suhaila won her first world title at the 2018 Pencak Silat World Championship, it was Shafiqah who was cheering the loudest in the stands.
The two sisters – who playfully admit they've shared a room for some two decades – have always had an easy camaraderie. This, despite being complete opposites – as Suhaila puts it. She's a hundred per cent introverted, but I'm more of an ambivert, says the 26-year-old. But even though you might have teammates, supporters, your family is different... You know that when she's cheering for you, when she's supporting you, she genuinely wants you to win.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Boost UP
In the same way that Pilates fanatics say the exercise is a complete coordination of body and mind, the fashion cognoscenti believes that Celine ticks both the fashion and lifestyle boxes. Next month, the French Maison goes further with the launch of a Pilates collection
World PREMIERE
Literally in-tune and connected with modern needs, Chanel reinvents its timeless jewellery watch, introducing the bold PREMIERE SOUND timepiece
Joys to BEHOLD
The Kate Spade New York Fall 2024 Pop-up, at ION Orchard's Level 1 Atrium until 11 September, spotlights kate spade new york's blooming Spade Flower Jacquard collection, which is boosted by fun-filled activity stations that beckon
LIFT ME UP
A few weeks ago, Oasia Spa became the first hotel spa in SINGAPOFE tow m 8 launch facial treatments featuring Swissline by Dermalab products. VOFFICIEL* SINGAPORE was there to try one of them
Dynamic DUO
Bell Ross proves that the underrated gold-and-steel combo still slaps
LIGHT & DARK
Piaget presents a dichotomous pair of Polo timepieces: one, a radiant rainbow, the other, a jet-black skeleton
NATURAL WOMAN
Wearing pieces from Cartier’s latest Nature Sauvage High Jewellery collection, Emma Chamberlain speaks to L'‘OFFICIEL about her career highs, from being a successful YouTuber to establishing herself as a true fashion insider
Golden AGE
Serving as Hedi Slimane’s muse for Celine’s Winter 2024 collection are the swinging 60s
Meaningful ESCAPE
Connecting with nature was daunting for this city-dweller but it ended up being exactly what the doctor ordered
MODERN SIMPLICITY
Thai actress, hanaerng Kanyawee Songmuang makes a fresh fashion statement in Bottega Veneta’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection. Inspired by global cultures, the collection reimagines everyday wear for modern women with sharp, minimalist designs crafted from exceptional materials. The colour palette and patterns evoke the spirit of travel and sunset, creating an effortless and sophisticated contemporary sensibility