SINGAPORE : National paddler Li Jiawei gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday.

Tian Rui was born at 9.22am in Thomson Medical Centre to proud parents Jiawei and her businessman husband Li Chao.

The table tennis player was married to Li Chao last September, and they had planned to have a baby before the next Olympics in 2012.

The name "Tian Rui", which loosely means "astute and far-sighted", reflects the parents' desire for their son to grow up bright and intelligent. And the couple have decided that their child will be a Singapore citizen.

Li Chao said: "Jiawei and I have a good impression of Singapore. Of course, Jiawei is also a Singapore citizen and hopes for the baby to be one too."

While the parents have not decided where their son will go to school, Jiawei already has her preference.

She said: "I hope he can be here in Singapore. I am going to return to table tennis training next year and I would like him to be with me. It is also good that Singapore has a bilingual education system."

In addition, the father hopes for his son to be exposed to more education systems, and not limited to those of China or Singapore.

And as for the couple's next bundle of joy, they said this will probably have to wait till after the 2012 Olympics. - CNA/ms