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 has won both a silver and bronze medal at the European Championships.

Jenkins, who was named Herefordshire Sport's Disabled Sports person of the Year for 2014, will compete in the W1 compound competition.

And with all three GB archers in the WI compound category being in the top three places at the recent European Championships, there is a strong possibility that at least one of them will claim a medal.

"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 flies out to Rio today (Wednesday).

Jenkins says she has gained inspiration from watching the Team GB archers compete at the Olympics.

"That really brought it home and I'm very excited," she said.

"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 them 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 legs and had trouble.

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

Jenkins said she couldn't believe it when her coach broke the news that she will be going to 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.

"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."

Jenkins starts her bid on September 10 before the medals will be decided six days later."