GUANGZHOU, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Loi Im Lan made history at China's 15th National Games athletics competitions on Monday night, becoming the first sprinter from Macao to qualify for the women's 100m final.

Despite a seventh-place finish, her presence in the race has marked a milestone for Macao athletics.

"I came here to show what's possible for Macao," Loi, 27, said after the race. "The time wasn't my best, but it was about more than time."

Though not fully satisfied with her performance in the final, attributing it to muscle fatigue, Loi sees it as a crucial learning experience.

"The semifinal was good, but I got too tense over the last 10 meters because I was so desperate to make the final," she noted. "It's a lesson."

What makes Loi's achievement all the more remarkable is that she juggles elite sprinting with a doctorate in clinical medicine at Jinan University.

Her life is filled with routines: lectures in the morning, training in the afternoon, and lab work at night. She expressed her gratitude to the university for coordinating the schedule, allowing her to train in the afternoon.

"I chose to continue my studies partly to extend my athletic career," she explained. "Once I graduate, I'll face immediate career pressure. Being a student gives me space to pursue my passion for sport."

This was Loi's second National Games appearance. At the previous edition in Shaanxi, she had failed to make the 100m final, struggling with technical changes.

"The technique was completely unfamiliar to me then," she recalled. "I understood the concept, but couldn't execute it under pressure. My coaches worked with me one-on-one for months."

"Now, I'd say it's about 70 percent mastered, but there's still more work to do with my coach," she added.

Loi's breakthrough came thanks to persistent training with the Chinese mainland's elite sprinters in Guangdong.

"Training with the Guangdong team showed me the level I needed to reach," she said. "Their technical precision and power... I realized catching up would require full commitment."

Even during the Games, Loi's academic responsibilities were never far away. She remained in contact with her research team, juggling race preparation with academic work.

As the first Macao female athlete to reach the 100-meter final, Loi carries the hopes of a growing athletics community.

"If I can reach the final, younger Macao athletes can do it as well," she said. "They need to come to the mainland for training, and not be afraid to compete at this level. If we train hard and keep believing, we can compete on this stage."

Now Loi's focus shifts to the next challenge. "I'm not rushing. As for the Asian Games next year, I'll be better prepared," she said with determination. "There's more to achieve." Enditem