Just the second day into competition at Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023, and the competition is already heating up with finals ready to roll out in both athletics and wheelchair rugby.
It will be a big day of track and field as the athletics competition gets down to business with 100-metre, 200-metre and 1500-metre finals across ambulant and seated categories.
With its various running, throwing and jumping disciplines, athletics is one of the most diverse sports in the world.
The athletics comes to an end in the afternoon with the hotly-contested 4 x 100-metre relay, which will see family and friends from across the globe getting behind competitors in all team colours.
Team Australia’s athletics team includes Karney Armstrong, Flight Sergeant Nathan King, Alex Jay, Verity Sanchez, Ainsley Hooker and Able Seaman Jamie McGlinchey.
Meanwhile, the Wheeling Diggers will be looking to better their bronze medal from Invictus Games The Hague 2020 in today’s wheelchair rugby finals.
“The team is coming together really well,” Team Australia wheelchair rugby team vice captain, Andrew Tebbit, said.
“We’ve been blessed with the help of a national wheelchair rugby player and a couple of NSW players.
“There’s been huge leaps and bounds in skillsets over the last few training camps.
“So as a team, we’re really getting together; getting an understanding and a head for the game.”
Wheelchair rugby is played with a special volleyball, in teams of four and is one of the crowd’s firm favourites at the games.
The aim is for players to carry the ball on their laps across the opposing team’s eight-metre goal line. At least once every 10 seconds, the ball must be dribbled or passed to another player.
The mixed gender team sees both male and female competitors giving it their all to outmanoeuvre, outplay and out-speed their opposing team.
While Invictus Games is not really about medals, the Aussies will be trying to right some wrongs from last year’s Games at The Hague.
“The only teams we lost against last time were Great Britain and the United States so it would be nice to get a win against them – at least once,” Andrew said.
Andrew is joined in the team by captain, Lenny Redrose, and teammates, James Barker, Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Cooper Blackwood, Kurt Ludke, Xavier Green, Danielle Hale, Shaun Hillman, Ainsley Hooker and Karl Woodward.
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