Michael Naray played bows and arrows as a kid but it was a long time before the grown-up played Robin Hood and William Tell.
The boy from Carlingford grew into a man who enjoyed more active pursuits like mountaineering, rock climbing and orienteering.
He also got a physics degree and was employed as a computer whiz.
Then in 2000 he contracted glandular fever and was laid low with fatigue; there was no more climbing the heights.
A friend suggested that he give archery a go, and he did at a come-and-try day at Homebush.
Naray was a stationary figure aiming at a stationary target but was quickly on the move.
Within six months he was competing at club level; within two years he was competing at state titles; within four years he was in thenational team.
Now Naray, who is 38, will compete at Beijing among all the other Robin Hoods and William Tells. Is he a medal chance? Who can tell?
Naray will be aiming up against European professionals, but he's confident.
His best international performances have been 25th in the individual and second in the teams event at last year's World Cup in Varese, Italy. The debilitating fatigue is long gone and he's been training full-time for the Olympics.
Naray has also resumed climbing and has another string to his bow; one he hopes will lead to another full-time career.
Concurrent with the archery in 2002, Naray began studying painting and drawing part-time. In 2006 he decided to study art full-time and work part-time, and will resume full-time study post-Beijing.
An archer with the soul of an aesthete; it's been a winning combination so far.