Paralympic silver medallist Jodie Grinham is no stranger to overcoming challenges, but her biggest trials may lie ahead with Tokyo 2020 on the horizon.

The para-archer, who won silver with partner John Stubbs in the team compound event at Rio, was born with no fingers, half a thumb on her left hand and a short-left arm.

After reaching the rostrum in Rio three years ago, Grinham has had three chaotic years which has seen her almost die in February this year and collapse on a plane in 2017.

“I’ve had three years of real ups and downs,” said Grinham, who was speaking at a Sainsbury’s store in Crawley.

“In February this year I almost died, I was on tablets and it had split my stomach lining, I had internal bleeding.

“I got taken into hospital and if I’d left it another 24 hours I probably would have died.

“I had to train really smart after that, but it worked. I made sure it wasn’t the end of me, I worked around it and I’ve worked around other injuries too.

“In 2017 I collapsed on a plane going out to the World Championships and still don’t know why. I ended up in a hospital in Germany but still went to the competition anyway because I’m stubborn.

“It’s been one thing after another, but it makes me stronger and a more developed athlete.”

However, this has not worn her down one bit with a brilliant 2019 season including an 11-point personal best and World Championships silver medal putting her in good shape ahead of 2020.

She does though face a tough battle with individual compound Paralympic gold medallist Jessica Stretton for, at present, the one GB women’s spot in the compound competition in Tokyo.

Not that that is phasing Grinham either and she is eager for 2020 to come around after visiting the site in Tokyo last month.

“I’m massively excited for Tokyo,” added Grinham, who was helping to promote Sainsbury’s as the longest-standing supporter of ParalympicsGB and a champion of inclusive sport for all.

“But I’m in a tough position with Jessica. We’re both very competitive and well-matched.

“We’re both fighting for that one spot, hopefully we do have the option of being awarded another spot but now it’s neck and neck. It’s going to be a hell of winter as we both compete for it.

“I’ve got a schedule in place now which starts with the winter season. The focus will be on competition training throughout the winter and then I’ve got the indoor nationals which is the UK Championship and in February we’ve got our first world ranking event which is a huge one.

“It may be a year to go but that’s no time at all when you’re competing, training and you’ve got so much to do.”

Sainsbury’s is the longest-standing supporter of ParalympicsGB and a champion of inclusive sport for all. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what we do since 1869. For more information on Sainsbury’s commitment to inclusive sport visit https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/