Nathan Milgate
Kent shooting star Nathan is building a formidable reputation on the international circuit.
He was National Champion in 2006, British Champion 2007, and also won the 2007 Korean Open.
The 20-year-old is from Herne Bay where he continues to train with his club, as well as travelling to Stoke Mandeville each month for GB Squad sessions. His immediate focus is on the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, having already qualified.
Profile
Date and place of birth: 10th May 1987, Canterbury, Kent
Current ranking: England - 1, World - 12 prone, 13 standing
Career highlights to date:
» GB Squad. National Champion 2006 & British Champion 2007.
» Won Korean Open in 2007.
» Identified as a rising star on the London 2012 website.
Nathan’s taste of Paralympic competition
I put in a solid performance at my first Paralympic Games in Beijing.
It was a nervous start to the competition for me and the whole experience was quite nerve-wracking, but I did well in my first event and finished eighth in the R1 10m air rifle (standing) final.
In the next event, the Mixed R3 10m air rifle (prone), I finished twelfth out of 44 competitors. It was great to make a final and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm looking forward to competing at the 2012 London Games, where I hope to be a medal contender.
Milgate On Target Again
Nathan Milgate returned triumphant from the Slovakian Open (Katarina Brandomburova Memorial) for the Disabled Shooting Tournament - his final competition before the Beijing Paralympics.
Nathan, who will make his Paralympic debut this summer, shot 587 in the qualification round of the R1 10m air rifle standing SH1 to qualify for the finals in first place. He then shot 99.5 in the finals to take the gold medal.
The Slovakian Open took place inVistuk Slovakiafrom 16 to 19 July.
Olympic opportunity for Nathan
Nathan has been named in the British shooting squad to compete at the Beijing Paralympic Games this summer after a string of impressive results at recent competitions.
Nathan said: "It's a great honour for me to be selected to compete at Beijing and it'll be my first Paralympics. I've got a hectic training schedule over the next few months but it will be good preparation for the Games. It should put me in good stead for a strong performance and hopefully I'll be in the running for a medal."
Nathan's progress
I attended training camps with the national squad in preparation for the Turkish open in Bodrum, which took place from 28 April - 3 May. This was the last competition before Beijing selection took place on 7 May. I shot a personal best in the R1 (Air Rifle Standing) event of 593 out of 600 and achieved a silver medal.
More medals for Milgate
Nathan added to his trophy cabinet with silver and bronze medals from the International Polish Cup Disabled Competition held at Szczecin in March.
He shot 583 in the R1 60 shot SH1 air rifle to take silver and also took bronze in the SH1 falling target rifle.