August 30, 2024

Paris 2024: All four GB archers are through to the final 16

The individual eliminations get started with the four GB archers earning their places in the final 16.

Phoebe Paterson Pine and Nathan Macqueen join their teammates Victoria Kingstone and Jodie Grinham in the final 16 for each of the respective categories.

Reigning Paralympic champion, Phoebe, had a challenging first round. She faced Diana Gonzabay Guaman from Ecuador, which resulted in a match that came down to the last arrow. Phoebe needed a ten to win, and she did just that, securing her place in the final 16.

Phoebe said: “She's [Gonzabay Guaman] an incredible archer and a great opponent to go up against. It's always fantastic when you're kept on your toes, and generally I really like the pressure, so I really enjoyed it.

My parents are in the crowd, so I was able to see them all the time when I was shooting. I was able to know that they're there for me, and even if I were to have lost back then, they all would've been proud of me no matter what."

Phoebe battles it out in the Paris rain

Nathan took to the finals stage in the evening, shooting one of the highest scores of the day from the compound open men. He shot against the 27th ranked Slovakian archer, Martin Doric, finishing the match 142-138 to move through to the next round. Nathan also had a celebrity appearance in the crowd today during his match; Paralympic torch bearer and A-list actor, Jackie Chan.

Nathan shared with us: "My heart was in my mouth the whole time. I was really emotional. I don't know if that's because my family was out there. But I feel like I've already won the Paralympics and I've only just won my first match."