Nathan Macqueen

Started: He first tried archery at age 13 with the Cub Scouts group. He took up Para archery in 2014 at age 23. (Athlete, 27 Aug 2024, 14 Jul 2016) Reason: He practised archery as a hobby along with his father before his motorbike accident in 2009. He took up Para archery in 2014 following encouragement from his wife Tara. "I used to shoot at a very young age, but it wasn't anything serious - more a way to spend time with my dad. Shortly after getting released from hospital I started playing wheelchair basketball, where I earned four caps for Scotland before I turned my interests to powerlifting. I again represented Scotland until I injured my shoulder and had to retire, and it was then that my wife suggested I try archery again, and I've never looked back since." (Athlete, 27 Aug 2024, 14 Jul 2016; musclefood.com, 01 Aug 2016) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, and to compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. (Athlete, 27 Aug 2024; ealingtimes.co.uk, 28 Aug 2024) Additional Info: ANCESTRY He has a tattoo of the Clan MacQueen crest on his chest. The crest depicts an animal holding an arrow, and legend tells that a member of the clan hunted the last wolf in Scotland with a bow and arrow after it had attacked a young girl from a nearby settlement. "I asked my wife Tara recently why she thought I was good at archery. I said, 'Do you think it's because my ancestors were good?' Since I found out this bit of history I've thought maybe it's meant to be. It's definitely given me a bit of a boost." (paralympics.org.uk, 22 Apr 2021) FROM POWERLIFTING TO ARCHERY He took up Para powerlifting earlier in his sporting career with the aim of competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. However, a shoulder injury meant he did not qualify for the Games and he switched his focus to Para archery. "I've had bigger hurdles in my life so I just reset my goals and moved on. I only took up archery after I had to give up powerlifting through injury. I had hoped to be part of the Commonwealth Games team, but it wasn't to be." (dailyrecord.co.uk, 23 Jun 2016, 25 Apr 2014) FATHERHOOD He became a father for the first time in 2018, when his son Casey was born. "I'm an athlete and I go and put my athlete hat on, but then I come home and put my dad hat on, and he doesn't care where I am or what I've done, he just loves me. It's given me another aspect to my life, and I think that's why I've gotten better. It's unlocked another part of me." (bridportnews.co.uk, 15 Oct 2019) FORMER OCCUPATION He had to give up a career as a joiner after his motorbike accident in 2009. (westlothiancourier.co.uk, 01 Dec 2011)