Arizona Corporation Commission software developer Jay Shi is heading to Rio to compete in men’s pistol shooting in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“In both engineering and shooting, you are presented with a problem, and you have to figure it out,” said Shi. “There is always a way.”
Shi had to figure out one major hurdle early in his life. Originally from Beijing, as a child, Shi moved to the United States after suffering an injury to his right eye. He was treated at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. While doctors were able to preserve his sight with an implantable lens, he is not able to focus or judge distance in that eye. It took him five years to be able to shoot well enough using his right hand and left eye.
“It just proves to me and a lot of people that by working hard and never giving up so many things are possible,” he said.
Shi started shooting in 2006 in an effort to compete in the 2008 Beijing games and then again in 2012 for the London games but fell short of making the teams.
Shi will compete in two pistol shooting events, the 10 meter Air and the 50 meter Free.
Shi and his family received a special send-off by Governor Doug Ducey.