i Lingshu, an associate professor of Faculty for Physical Education at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), was invited to serve as a Deputy Chief Timer in the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.

Li, the only invited Chinese umpire, demonstrated her competence in the championship, which was held in South Korea from April 19 to April 30. The Championship, the highest-level mixed doubles curling competition of the year, has attracted 20 teams from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Before the championship, she communicated with the Chief Timer, arranging the shift schedule of timers and providing job training for timers lacking experience. During the championship, her work was supervising timers and dealing with any emergency.

Li has worked with a German Chief Timer five times. The Chief Timer said he trusted Li as Li trusted him. He added that whenever she needed help, he would always be there.

“I think this kind of trusting relationship is very good. You will feel like there is a strong support behind you,” Li said.

She observed in her working that a new timer couldn’t confirm when to start and stop timing. Li reminded him of timing, and showed him the standard way of timing.

A Korean timer sent her a card to appreciate her work. She wrote on the card, "Thank you for patiently and carefully teaching us on how to do better timekeeping. I’m looking forward to learning from you in the future."

“It was my first time as a leader to manage timers from different countries, and I felt a bit uneasy, ”Li said. “After the championship, my work has been recognized by other umpires, making me more confident.”

She chose to develop her career as a curling umpire out of personal interest, which was aroused by the promotion and popularity of winter sports in China. She has been umpiring international competitions since 2018. The last time Li participated in an international competition was at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, as one of the first two Chinese curling umpires for the Winter Olympics.

As a university teacher, she also promotes curling at SISU. Next semester, she will offer a course on floor curling, to provide students with an opportunity to experience the sport.