ARCHER Vicky Jenkins is quietly confident she will come away from Rio with a medal as she prepares for her Paralympics debut.

The Bromyard Bowmen star only took up the sport six years ago but has progressed through the ranks and won both silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.

Jenkins, Herefordshire Sport’s disabled sports person of the year in 2014, will compete in the W1 compound competition.

“Like every athlete, I would like to come home with a medal and be on the podium and I hope I get there,” said Jenkins, who lives in Malvern and flew out to Rio last week.

Jenkins, 39, gained inspiration from watching Great Britain archers compete at the Olympics and said: “That really brought it home and I’m very excited.

“It’s going to be amazing and I will see how it goes.

“Everybody got behind the Paralympics in London and Channel 4 will be covering it as well, so hopefully they will get behind the athletes again.

“There’s some amazing stories behind it and what people have had to overcome. It’s all very exciting.”

Jenkins used to be a helicopter pilot instructor until she began to suffer neurological problems that first affected her hips and then her legs.

She has had to overcome the physical problems and cut out medication she used to depend on because of the strict rules regarding drugs in the sport.

Jenkins said she was amazed when her coach broke the news she would be competing in Rio.

“I was over the moon and couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“My coach took me quietly to one side and was smiling, saying it was good news.

“It really was fantastic and unbelievable to hear. I am very proud to be representing my country.

“My family have been very supportive and helped me and my club are also over the moon about it.”

Bromyard Bowmen committee member Carolyn Warren said: “We’re all very excited and couldn’t be more pleased for Vicky.

“She has been through so much but is always so sunny and cheerful and we’ll be rooting for her over in Rio.”

Jenkins starts her bid on Saturday before the medals are decided six days later.