Glen
McMurtrie

If you do not believe that everyone has a destiny, the story of aspiring Paralympic shooter Glen McMurtrie may change your mind.

Six years after acquiring paraplegia in a dirt bike accident, Glen was driving wearily along a quiet rural road when he phoned a hotel in the next town and asked for a wheelchair-accessible room. There was one available, but when Glen arrived at the hotel a short time later, he was told that it was occupied. The occupant – Australian Para-shooting legend Ashley Adams.

The two men initially had little in common. Glen had not played sport since his accident, but over dinner and a few beers, Ashley’s spirited and unique stories about his shooting exploits inspired Glen to give it a go.

Ashley sold Glen a rifle and told him everything that he needed to know. He taught him strategy and about competing. He also introduced him to other shooting experts, including best mate Jonas Jacobsson (SWE), the all-time record holder for most Paralympic medals won.

Less than a year later, the Paralympic movement was rocked when Ashley tragically passed away in a quad bike accident on his farm. But part of his enduring legacy lives on through Glen, who represented Australia for the first time at the 2017 International Paralympic Committee Shooting World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, and has since climbed the world rankings, achieving a silver medal and an excellent top five result at the 2018 World Shooting Para-sport World Championships in Cheongju, South Korea.