British archer Jodie Grinham has achieved a historic milestone at the Paralympic Games by becoming the first athlete to win a medal while pregnant. Grinham secured the bronze in the women’s individual compound open event on Saturday.
Competing at seven months pregnant presented unique challenges for Grinham. During the competition, she found herself navigating the physical demands of her sport while managing the effects of her pregnancy. At times, she even had to address her baby’s movements, asking the unborn child to be still to help her focus on shooting.
Grinham edged out her teammate Phoebe Paterson Pine for the bronze medal after both athletes were narrowly defeated in their semifinal matches. Turkey’s Öznur Cüre Girdi claimed the gold, overcoming Iran’s Fatemeh Hemmati in the final.
Grinham adapted her training to accommodate her pregnancy, working closely with her coach to adjust her technique and positioning. She shared that the experience has been a reminder of the support she feels from her unborn child, which has been a source of motivation throughout the competition.
Looking ahead, Grinham is set to compete again on Monday in the mixed team compound quarterfinals alongside Nathan McQueen. She hopes her achievements will inspire others by demonstrating that high-level competition is achievable regardless of personal circumstances.
