Macqueen on target for last 32
Polbeth archer Nathan Macqueen was in top form as he eased into the last 32 of the Paralympic Games.
The 24- year- old was the best of the British males in the individual compound event in Brazil, placing fifth with a score of 681, with Turkey’s Bulent Korkmaz in top spot.
Nathan was a promising rugby player with Murrayfield Wanderers and the Scotland Under- 21 squad before he was injured in a motorbike accident at the age of 17.
The incident left him without the use of his legs, but he never lost his love of sport and tried out with Armadalebased Lothian Phoenix wheelchair basketball club before turning his attention to powerlifting.
Nathan first picked up a bow two years ago after a shoulder injury wrecked his hopes of qualifying for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
And, despite admitting that a place in Rio wasn’t exactly a realistic goal when he first took up the sport, a string of impressive results, including a European silver medal, has seen him named among the favourites although he said he won’t be putting too much pressure on himself.
He said: “It feels like every other sport I’ve done has been leading up to this moment.
“These are the greatest Games in the world and I wanted to take part at some point.
“I’m not going to think too much about a medal.”
Nathan faced South Africa’s Shaun Anderson last night ( Wednesday) in his second round clash.
To find out how he got on, visit our website at www. westlothiancourier.co.uk.