Team Australia’s family and friends raise the roof and support Wheeling Diggers to bronze
Team Invictus Australia’s Wheeling Diggers won a bronze medal overnight at Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023, defeating France 20-17 in a nail-biting match (10-9, 10-8). Captain Lenny Redrose was responsible for nine of Australia’s tries while Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Cooper Blackwood scored six and Kurt Ludke added five to the tally.
Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Cooper Blackwood competing in the wheelchair rugby at Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023.
Post-match, Team Australia competitor Ainsley Hooker summed up how the team was feeling.
“Australia has done amazing, we’ve pulled off one game after the other. We feel amazing, it’s incredible. We couldn’t have done it without the crowd,” Hooker said.
Ainsley Hooker competes against USA at Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023.
“We’ve just kept going. We are sore, we are tired we have bruises upon bruises but right now we feel incredible,” she said.
Wheeling Diggers at Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023.
In true Invictus fashion, it was the families and friends who were the first to congratulate and celebrate with the competitors.
Xavier Green celebrates with family at Invicts Games Dusseldorf 2023.
Wheeling Diggers Captain Lenny Redrose said the team had been humbled by the experience.
“As a team, we grew through all our games,” Redrose said.
“At the end of it, we had all our fans there still chanting. It still gives me goose bumps. And that’s what it comes down to.
Xavier Green celebrates with family at Invicts Games Dusseldorf 2023.
“As Aussies, we are very loud. We’re larrikins. And I think we’ve proved again that family and friends are very, very important. That’s what got the team to where we are,” he said.
There will be no reprieve for many members of the team who begin wheelchair basketball pool matches on Tuesday.
Elsewhere on Monday, there was a slew of personal bests at the athletics.
Competitors Able Seaman Jamie McGlinchey, Nathan King and Verity Sanchez capped off an incredible journey in front of their families and friends.
Before she won bronze with the Wheeling Diggers at the wheelchair rugby, an elated Ainsley Hooker won gold in the IF5 shot put, with Karney Armstrong taking silver in the IF8 category and Alex Jay claiming bronze in the women’s IT7 100m and 200m events.
Jay hadn’t run for six years prior to her selection to Team Australia for these Games.
On Monday, she achieved a goal she set for herself before starting her Invictus journey.
Alex Jay crosses the line at the athletics at Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023.
“With my knee injury, my toe injury, my hips. This is a pretty big deal for me. I wasn’t sure how my body would go,” Jay said.
“My mind took over, it was a lot stronger than by body, and I pushed through.”
“I did a standing start, definitely slowed me down a bit. I was coming fourth but… mind over body. I pulled through. I wanted to place at least third, that was my goal and that what’s ended up getting.
“Honoured to be here. I’m so grateful to be a part of the team at the Invictus Games. We’ll see where this takes me,” she said.
The Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 continues Tuesday with the pool matches of the wheelchair basketball and finals of the indoor rowing.
The Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multi-sports competition for serving and former military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service. Team Australia is delivered in partnership between Invictus Australia and the Australian Defence Force, and consists of 31 competitors.
Düsseldorf is the sixth city to host the Invictus Games, following The Hague in 2022, Sydney in 2018, Toronto in 2017, Orlando in 2016 and London in 2014.
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WHERE TO WATCH
From Saturday, 9 September, all competitions of INVICTUS GAMES DÜSSELDORF 2023 presented by Boeing as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies can be streamed for free and without login on the German website (https://invictusgames23.de) and YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@invictusgamesdusseldorf2023).
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About Invictus Australia: Invictus Australia encourages veterans and their families to connect and engage with their communities through sport. Whether participating or volunteering at grassroots level, to competing internationally at an Invictus or Warrior Games, Invictus Australia leverages the power of sport to proactively foster good health and aid in recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. Invictus Australia promotes the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport for all, and shine a light on the unique needs of younger veterans, particularly the challenges associated with transitioning from military to civilian life.
About the Invictus Games: The 2023 Invictus Games takes place from the 9th – 16th September in Dusseldorf, Germany. Invictus Australia, in partnership with the Australian Defence Force, are supporting 31 former and current serving competitors as part of Team Australia. The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event for serving and former serving military personnel who have been wounded, injured or become ill during their military service. Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is the Patron of the Invictus Games. The Games uses the healing power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and celebrate the crucial role played by family and friends.
