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Czech shooter Emmons says sport second to family
By Wan Wan
China Daily Staff Writer
Updated: 2008-08-10 08:25
Czech Republic Olympic rifle shooter Katerina Emmons said winning the first gold Olympic Games medal mattered less to her than her family life.
"Sport to me is fun," said the Czech sharpshooter, who she is considering having a child after the Games.
"It is not as important as my family life."
Emmons, who won a bronze medal at the 2004 Games, said mental resilience is the secret of her success.
Katerina Emmons (R) of Czech Republic celebrates with her husband US shooter Matthew Emmons after winning gold in the women's 10m Air Rifle competition on August 9, 2008 in Beijing Shooting Range Hall. [Agencies] More Photos about Katerina Emmons |
"She is strong in mind," confirmed her father and coach Petr Kurka, himself a double world champion shooter.
Having first picked up a rifle at 14, Emmons won a gold medal at the 2002 World Championships and bagged a bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Her father said she showed talent in early childhood. "She has a good technique, and her mental capacity is better than most other athletes. She has good concentration."
"I know exactly what I want," added the 24-year-old, who is married to American shooter Matt Emmons, the 50m Rifle Prone gold medal winner at the Athens Olympics.
"I've been working hard and don't take any chances. It must be the way I am and how I treat sports."
Emmons beat local favorite Chinese Du Li to claim the first gold medal of the Beijing Games, winning the women's 10-meter air rifle with an Olympic record 503.5 point score.
Emmons bettered a daunting array of rivals to take the title by a comfortable 1.4 points. Lioubov Galkina of Russia took silver and Croatian Snjezana Pejcic got the bronze medal.