British Archer Jodie Grinham competes in the Para Archery Women's Individual compound Open Bronze Medal contest at the Paralympic Games in Paris, on Aug. 31.Alex Slitz/Getty Images
British archer Jodie Grinham became the first pregnant Paralympics athlete to win a medal when she took bronze in women’s individual compound, official Paralympics social media accounts said on Saturday.
Seven months pregnant, 31-year-old Grinham held her nerves to beat Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist and friend Phoebe Paterson Pine by a razor-thin 142-141 scoreline in Friday’s bronze medal matchup.
“Baby hasn’t stopped kicking,” Grinham said. “It’s almost like baby’s going, what’s going on? It’s really loud, mommy what are you doing? But it’s been a lovely reminder of the support bubble I have in my belly.
“I’m really proud of myself, I’ve had difficulties and it’s not been easy. But as long as I’m healthy and baby’s healthy, I knew I could compete. I knew if I shot as well as I could, baby or not, I could come back as a medal.”
Grinham will hope to win a second medal when she competes in the mixed team compound quarter-finals on Monday along with Nathan McQueen.