Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham returned to the Paralympic stage Thursday for the first time since Rio 2016, this time seven months pregnant.

And as fate would have it, it would be her moment, as the Brit went on to claim the Bronze in Compound Women’s Archery, becoming the first athlete to win a Paralympic medal while pregnant.

The 31-year-old Grinham secured her historic win by defeating teammate and defending champion Pheobe Paterson Pine, in a nail-biter of a contest that would go down to the last arrow and end 142-141.

She would go on to add to her historic achievement by also clinching the Gold in the mixed team compound event alongside British teammate Nathan Macqueen, after they beat Iran 155-151 on Monday.

Grinham has a left-arm impariment due to dwarfism, and hence is missing fingers with only half a thumb on her left arm.

Now pregnant, she also needed to adapt her shooting to the new circumstances.

“We’ve had to change stabilisation because the front is definitely becoming more heavy. It’s been the key to make sure about even daily changes. If I need to add weight, I just do it,” she explained.

She knew what she was signing up for. And she never complained.

The Brit, a mother to a two-year-old back home as well, stated that she could sense her baby kicking as she competed in the Women’s Compound event, but maintained her calm and composure through it all to clinch the Bronze.

“The baby hasn’t stopped [moving], the baby is saying, what are you doing?” stated Grinham in an interview with The Guardian.

“It’s been a real honor to know that the baby is there and that little support bubble I’ve got in my belly,” she continued.

For Grinham, medaling in Paris is not just for herself. She said she hopes to set an example of female strength by bringing home the hardware.

“I want to be a mother and an athlete,” Grinham said. “I’m not willing to sacrifice either of them but at home I am mummy.”

Balancing her passion and responsibilities has been rewarding but nonetheless, taxing, she said. With her partner Christopher Greenan, she says they have learned the importance of separating family from work, which Grinham said allows for more time with her 2-year-old son Christian.

“If I have, like, mummy hat and athlete hat, and if I’m in athlete mode, then that is it,” Grinham said. “You know, I am in an athlete mindset.”

Grinham previously earned the silver medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics with partner John Stubbs in the mixed team compound and placed 10th in the individual competition.

(with agency inputs)