Jodie Grinham: Balancing Motherhood and Paralympic Glory

Great Britain's Jodie Grinham returned to the Paralympic stage for the first time since Rio 2016, competing seven months pregnant. She finished fourth in the women's individual compound open and achieved a personal best. Grinham aims to inspire by balancing her roles as a mother and an athlete.

Great Britain's Jodie Grinham made a remarkable return to the Paralympic stage, her first since Rio 2016, competing while seven months pregnant.

In the women's individual compound open, Grinham secured a personal best score of 693, finishing in fourth place. Later, she and teammate Nathan MacQueen took second in the mixed team compound open ranking round.

"I know I can do more," Grinham said. "It's a personal best, but there's room for improvement." Grinham returns Saturday for the elimination round, after which she plans to rest following a minor scare earlier in the week when she experienced reduced fetal movement, though doctors confirmed everything was normal.

Grinham emphasizes the importance of her dual roles as a mother and an athlete. She hopes to set an example of female strength by medaling in Paris and shares how she balances her commitments with her partner, Christopher Greenan, to allow more quality time with their 2-year-old son, Christian.

"When I'm in athlete mode, that is it," Grinham noted. Previously, Grinham earned silver at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the mixed team compound with John Stubbs and placed 10th individually.

Grinham will compete next on Saturday in the elimination round for the women's individual compound open and the mixed quarterfinals on Monday afternoon.

(With inputs from agencies.)