From elite sport to emergency
CQUniversity student Paul McMah is proving it’s possible to balance elite sport with study, working towards a career in paramedicine while competing on the international wrestling stage.
Paul, 41, is studying a Bachelor of Paramedic Science at CQUniversity, drawing on nearly nine years of experience as a career firefighter with Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
During his time in emergency services, he attended a wide range of incidents – from fires and rescues to motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies – sparking a growing interest in patient care.
“I developed a real passion for the medical side of emergency response and wanted to do more for patients in those critical moments before they reached hospital,” he said.
That motivation led him to complete a Diploma in Ambulance where he worked casually in frontline care, before relocating to Australia in 2025 with his family to pursue paramedicine full-time through CQUniversity.
Alongside his coursework, Paul trains multiple times each week, competes at a high level and runs his own wrestling club in Hervey Bay.
“A typical week is busy. Between study, training, running the club, family commitments and work – planning ahead is essential,” he said.
“Preparation prevents poor performance. There are definitely times where things overlap heavily, especially around competitions or university assessment periods, but having a clear routine and staying organised helps me manage everything.”
CQUniversity’s flexible online learning has been key to making that balance possible.
“Being able to access lectures and study remotely means I can work around training camps and competitions,” he said.
“Without that flexibility, it would be extremely difficult to keep progressing in both wrestling and paramedicine.”
Paul’s wrestling journey began about 12 years ago after a career in professional mixed martial arts, where he first discovered a passion for the sport.
Starting later in life, he faced a steep learning curve and lost nearly every match in his first year.
“It was very humbling, but it taught me perseverance and patience,” he said.
Through consistency and resilience, he progressed to represent New Zealand in Olympic-style wrestling for more than seven years across Freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines.
In 2024, he was named captain of the New Zealand team at the South-East Asian Wrestling Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
He has also claimed major results closer to home, including a 2022 Australian National Championship title in the 87kg Greco-Roman division, along with multiple national and state podium finishes across New Zealand and Australia.
Now based in regional Queensland, Paul is giving back to the sport by establishing ADONIS WRESTLING, creating opportunities for the next generation.
“Representing New Zealand in a sport I love has always meant a lot to me but being able to show my children what can be achieved through hard work, consistency and dedication means even more,” Paul said.
Paul will head to Pretoria, South Africa later in the year where he will compete in 'The Big 5' Wrestling Tournament from 5-13 August.
Looking ahead, he said he hoped to continue competing internationally while building his club and completing his degree.
Paul's long-term goal is to become a rescue paramedic with LifeFlight Australia, combining his background in firefighting, rescue and healthcare.
“It’s never too late to challenge yourself and pursue your goals.”
