Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi
Not only is Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi the first female Malaysian rifle shooter to compete in Olympic history, she is also eight months pregnant, making her the "most pregnant" woman to ever compete in the Olympics. She's also the only woman with a known/disclosed pregnancy to compete in this year's games.
On paper, Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi is entirely average for athletes competing in the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the 2012 London Olympics. There's just one difference: when she steps up to the line to shoot, she will be eight months pregnant.Awesome.
"When I found out that I was pregnant before competing in the Asian meet, I thought that that was the end of my Olympic dream as I will have to turn my attention to the baby," she told Malaysian's leading newspaper, The Star. "But when I eventually qualified for the 10-meter air rifle event on merit, it made me rethink that perhaps I am supposed to go all the way despite my pregnancy."
...While shooting requires less physical strain on the body than sprinting or some of the other summer sports, Nur Suryani said she has had to alter her stance and train at all times of day to predict how she would feel during competition.
"The Olympic Games are important to me ... Every athlete dreams of competing at the Olympics," she told The Star.
...The 10-meter air rifle event is set for July 28.
[H/T to Shaker TheLadyEve. If you read an inspiring or interesting story about an Olympian you believe may be of interest to Shakers, email me. Please note I probably won't be able to cover all submissions.]
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