David Francis MacCalman MNZM (born 30 September 1958)[1] is a Paralympian athlete from New Zealand competing mainly in category P53 pentathlon events. He lost the use of his legs after sustaining a spinal cord injury while diving into a river.[2]

David MacCalman
Personal information
Full nameDavid Francis MacCalman
Born30 September 1958 (1958-09-30) (age 66)
Medal record
Men's para athletics
Representing  New Zealand
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona Javelin throw - F52
Gold medal – first place 2000 Sydney Pentathlon - P53
Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta Javelin throw - F51

He competed in the 1992 Summer Paralympics in Barcelona, Spain. There he finished fourth in the men's Shot put – THW2 event, finished fifth in the men's javelin throw – THW2 event, finished twelve in the men's discus throw – THW2-3 event, finished seventh in the men's 200 metres – TW2 event and went out in the first round of the men's 800 metres – TW2 event. He also competed at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, United States. There he won a silver medal in the men's javelin throw – F51 event and finished sixth in the men's Shot put – F51 event. He also competed at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. There he won a gold medal in the men's Pentathlon – P53 event, a gold medal in the men's javelin throw – F52 event and finished fourth in the men's Shot put – F52 event. He also competed at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, United States. There he finished twelve in the men's javelin throw – F52-53 event and finished ninth in the men's Shot put – F52 event. In the 2001 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport.[3]

In 2011, MacCalman was the first person in New Zealand to buy the REX Bionics exoskeleton orthosis to enable him to walk.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Taylor, Alister, ed. (2001). New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa 2001. Auckland: Alister Taylor Publishers. ISSN 1172-9813.
  2. ^ a b New Zealand Paralympian buys First Rex Bionics Exoskeleton
  3. ^ "New Year honours list 2001". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
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