New Delhi: British archer Jodie Grinham created history at the Paris Paralympics 2024 by winning a bronze medal. She also became the first openly pregnant woman to clinch a medal at the Paralympics.
In the thrilling women’s individual compound open match, Grinham managed to take a small lead and held it till the end. She also won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Games. Grinham defeated her great friend Phoebe Paterson Pine to clinch the medal, winning 142-141. She needed to score 10 to win from her final arrow and nine to go into another shoot-off.
But she managed to shoot eight as nerves got the better of her at the crucial moment. She went back and hugged her childhood friend. She has been training with Paterson Pine since 2014. Grinham had to make a few adjustments in her technique due to the pregnancy.
She is now at the same stage that she went into premature labour with her first son Christan. She was focused on competing in the tournament during the last stage of her pregnancy. Before the match, she checked the nearest hospital within eight minutes and also spent her last week in hospital for regular checks.
“My team have joked a few times that my waters could just break on the podium”: Jodie Grinham
After the match, Grinham said that she was proud of herself and had to face many difficulties “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 we could compete. I knew if I shot as well as I could, baby or not, I could come back with a medal” Grinham said.
“Baby hasn’t stopped kicking, it’s almost like baby’s going ‘what’s going on, it’s really loud, mummy what are you doing’. But it has been a lovely reminder of the support bubble I have in my belly. My team have joked a few times that my waters could just break on the podium. That would be quite something” she added.
British para-archer Jodie Grinham created history at the Paris Paralympics 2024 and became the first openly pregnant woman to win a medal. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
