The maximum score a shooter can achieve with an air rifle is 10.9. During training, national shooter Jasmine Ser is given a target of 52.5 for a set of five shots, and she must achieve this for eight sets.
Sometimes she misses by less than a hair's breadth and records a 52.4, and her Russian coach Kirill Ivanov would "close one eye" and consider it a pass.
But Ser, never a shrinking violet, would turn down her coach's goodwill and continue pursuing the 52.5. It can take her an extra five minutes, or an extra hour.
Yesterday, at askST@NLB, the 28-year-old, a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, gave a glimpse into what life is like as a world-class athlete.
The talk at the Central Public Library in Victoria Street, attended by 150 readers, was conducted by The Straits Times assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath.
To let the audience get a feel of how tough Ser's sport is, Brijnath handed out paper targets to demonstrate how tiny the 10.9 target is from 10 metres.
Ser also enthralled the crowd with lesser-known nuggets such as how she was actually a myopic shooter and only later on had laser eye surgery to correct her vision, and that she is a leftie who shoots right-handed. She was candid as she shared about the pressure, fear and doubt she faces in her quest for Olympic glory.
Ser said: "As I grow older, I can really feel the difference as it becomes more difficult to command my body. But I have also learnt about mindfulness and relaxation techniques which have helped me.
"I feel pressure is something imaginary that can be good or bad. It is a matter of how you utilise it. For me, pressure makes me better, sharper and more focused."
Ending the 90-minute talk, Brijnath encouraged Singaporeans to show up at sports competitions to lend their support to local athletes.
Ser added: "Athletes need validation and affirmation from their fellow countrymen to push us to greater heights."
The talk was streamed live on the Rings.TV application, which had more than 600 views. The video can be replayed via the app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.
Mihir Shrivastava, a 49-year-old trader, felt he got to know more about the inner workings of a top athlete's mind.
He said: "It was nice to get to learn what they go through, and the kind of discipline required to reach the top. What struck me most about Jasmine was that there was no trace of negativity about her. Be it sickness, myopia or poor results, she was able to channel the challenges she faced into positivity."
The askST@NLB series is a monthly collaboration between the National Library Board and ST in which ST journalists helm discussions on topics.
The next session on March 29 will be moderated by ST news editor Zakir Hussain, who will discuss details of the Merdeka Generation Package with Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor and Permanent Secretary for Health Chan Heng Kee. Readers may register at str.sg/askZakir
The latest Tweets from Crime & Regulatory (@MackrellCrime). A dedicated team experienced in handling all types of criminal & regulatory investigations and prosecutions - complex crime, business crime and serious fraud.
Pickleball Shoes | Best Men's & Women's Shoes for 2019
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup Despite Team Melli's strong World Cup showing, Iranian football authorities opted not to offer him a new four-year contract -- a
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
Every fan should dream of watching their team playing at Wembley, but we Spurs supporters will be hoping that we don't have to make a trip to the national stadium again for quite some time. Only
Spurs v Wolves Preview - YouTube
Soccer Football - Round of 16 Second Leg - Manchester City v Schalke 04 - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 12, 2019 Manchester City's Raheem Sterling looks on as his goal and the fourth fo
VALENCIA (REUTERS) - Valencia eased into the Europa League semi-finals for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spaniards Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday
Valencia stroll into last four with 2-0 Villarreal win
Newport dealing with fallout from fraud allegations. Newport's city manager believes in her city's future following the collapse of projects promised by Jay Peak owner
Newport County: Justin Edinburgh dedicates win to Byron
"Manchester United can confirm that Marouane Fellaini has left the club on a permanent transfer," United said in a statement on their website. "Everybody at United thanks Marouane for his service and wishes him well for the future as he completes his move to Shandong Luneng Taishan FC in China," the statement added.
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga
Soccer: Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure. Liverpool drew 1-1 at home to Leicester City on Wednesday prompting questions about their ability to stay the course as tension mounts
Jurgen Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under
Croatia were forced to dig deep as they came from behind to beat unfancied Azerbaijan 2-1 at home in their opening Euro 2020 Group E qualifier after forward Andrej Kramaric scored a 79th winner on
Croatia beat Azerbaijan as Kramaric nets late winner
Hello and welcome to my AXE Media TV review.. Is AXE Media TV a scam? This is one of the questions that we are going to look into and share my thoughts. We are also going to discover information about the company and who owns it, the products or services they offer and the compensation plan and how you get paid.
Barcelona News: Club President confirms Valverde stay
Bayern Munich will found a sixth football school in Asia after agreeing on a youth development partnership with the Sport Singapore (SportSG), the Bundesliga giants announced on Monday. Former Bayern player Klaus Augenthaler was present at a signing ceremony at Singapore's Jurong East Stadium on Sunday, as the club pledged to "close future
Bayern Munich sign youth partnership deal with SportsSG in
Tsukasa Shiotani's sizzling winner kept Japan on top of their Asian Cup group on Thursday, while Oman scrambled into the knockouts in a pulsating finish to the tournament's first stage. In Abu
Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks, Qatar's Ali downs Saudis
Get a report of the Southampton vs. Cardiff City 2018/2019 English Premier League football match. Cardiff 2-1 win over Southampton in thrilling finish Zohore scuffed home a shot to give
Football: Zohore gives Cardiff 2-1 win over Southampton in
0 comments:
Post a Comment