TIANJIN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Despite no chance of medals, London Olympic champion and Rio bronze winner Yi Siling still caught the eyes as a mother-to-be in the shooting tournament of the 13th Chinese National Games here on Thursday.
The 28-year-old Yi, ranked world No. 4, finished in a distant 28th place in the qualifying round with 416.5 points and failed to make it to the women's 10m air rifle final. Yet, she was not upset as usual.
"It's great to compete in the National Games with my child," said a smiling Yi, who was pregnant for over five months.
"The pure love for shooting sent me here, and I enjoyed the Games," said Yi.
On Tuesday, Yi retired from the women's 50m rifle 3 positions, from which she took a silver at the 11th Games in Jinan of Shandong province.
"I should protect my baby from the kneeling and prone positions," Yi explained.
It was not easy for the pregnant to compete in the Games, and Yi was no exception. Yi came to Tianjin for the event with the company of her husband.
"We deem this experience as a good and special prenatal education," said the couple.
The father-to-be disclosed that Yi had a strong desire to compete, so they went to the doctor for a permit.
"The most obvious thing is the fact that my baby kicks me sometimes," said Yi.
Yi said she repeatedly whispered to her baby during the shooting, "my dear, please keep calm when mom shoots."
The 13th Games was her third, and she won a bronze in women's 10m air rifle from the last Games.
"It is all about enjoying the match this time," said Yi.
"She wants our baby to do well in future just like her, becoming Olympic champion after so many efforts," said Yi's husband. Enditem
