PARIS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Not many have known Azerbaijan archer Yaylagul Ramazanova before the Paris Olympics, but she certainly left a deep impression after the six-and-a-half pregnant archer delivered a remarkable performance in women's singles competition.
It was 36 degrees Celsius in Paris on Tuesday when Ramazanova met with Chinese archer An Qixuan in the 1/32 elimination round. The match was a nail-biter, with the two archers shooting a 5-5 tie and forcing the game to a shoot-off. The final result was determined by just one arrow from each, in which Ramazanova won with a 10 against An's 9.
"I felt my baby kick me before I shot this last arrow, and then I shot a 10," recalled Ramazanova with a big smile on her face, adding that her baby gave her strength and luck.
"During the training for the Olympics, I didn't feel uncomfortable with my pregnancy. Instead, I felt that I was not fighting alone, but fighting together with my baby," said Ramazanova.
The 34-year-old archer is a first-time Olympian and is the second archer representing Azerbaijan to compete at the Olympics, after Olqa Senyuk at Rio 2016. She originally started as a shooter, but her coach noticed her long arms and recommended her to do archery instead.
Although Ramazanova was later eliminated in the 1/16 round by Germany's Michelle Kroppen, she is still someone to be remembered at the Games.
"Even though your Olympics campaign stopped at 1/16, you are our pride," said her little brother in a post on Facebook after the match.
"I wanted to get a medal. Every athlete does but not everyone can, but that's okay as long as I did my best," said Ramazanova, confirming that she will continue to stick to the sport after she gives birth to her kid.
"I will teach my kid archery if he or she is interested in it." Enditem.
