Defending champion Phoebe Paterson Pine paid tribute to her close friend Jodie Grinham after she denied her a medal at the Paralympics.

The British team-mates faced off in a thrilling archery bronze medal match in the women's compound competition at Esplanade des Invalides in the heart of the city.

They matched each other shot for shot but Grimore - who is seven months pregnant - held her nerve to claim the last spot on the podium on the final arrow.

"I’m so proud of her. She has defied so many odds and has been able to come out and produce an incredible performance," said Gloucestershire's Paterson Pine, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

"She is getting towards the end of her pregnancy, she has done fantastically and worked really hard. We have known each other since 2014, we have basically grown up with each other. We will continue to push each other on and keep going.

"It made it harder knowing each other so well. It’s one of those things where on the day it could switch either way, I could have gone out and produced a stormer of a performance.

"We will continue to keep training together and pushing each other, that’s the amazing thing about having such a talented teammate."

Paterson Pine - who was stung by a wasp earlier in the competition - paid tribute to her friends and family watching in the crowd in Paris and admitted, despite her top-level experience, her close tussle with Grinham left her shaking with nerves.

"I was terrified for the last arrow, it's one of those things you need to learn to deal with and I just didn't very well on this occasion, but I'll learn," she added.

"I know my family love with with or without a medal but I'm going to take a break now. Athletes train for years to reach this point and afterwards you need to reset, think about what went wrong and what you’re going to do next time.

"This is the end of my competition but we’re staying out until the closing ceremony, I’m super excited for that and be able to chill in the village for a little bit and see family."

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