His mates refer to him as Forrest Gump because he has tried his hand at everything.
From adventure motorbike riding to rickshawing through the Himalayas, Stephen Lockwood’s next challenge will be representing Australia at Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.
The international sporting event will be held from September 9 to 16 for wounded, injured and ill, serving and former-serving military personnel.
After serving 11 years in the Australian Army then turning his mind to studying cognitive neuroscience at University of South Australia, the 34-year-old has a lifelong love of sports, representing Australia at the games in table tennis, powerlifting and archery.
“Sport takes you anywhere you want to go,” he said.
“I competed in the Warrior Games in Chicago in 2017 and was really proud to see my name up as an official athlete.
“I have won competitions and grand finals, best and fairest trophies, but that was a real experience for me.”
Donning the green and gold again in Düsseldorf will be the next string to Stephen’s bow, after suffering a back injury and having multiple musculoskeletal injuries as a result of his service.
Stephen is also captaining the Aussie table tennis team in Germany.
“I’ve been training to perform the best I can,” he said.
“I’m hoping to be competitive. In the lead-up I’ve been training multiple hours a week, particularly with table tennis.
“My mates call me Forrest Gump because I do a bit of everything, so it’s extra funny that I’m playing table tennis.
“I don’t want to count my chickens before they’re hatched but I’m going there to win.”
While the humble sports nut is going in feeling “pumped”, Imposter Syndrome haunts his training.
“I feel like a fraud sometimes,” he said.
“I play against people better than me at home and think they should be given a chance, too.
“The strength sports I feel like I’ve earned my spot but I guess you don’t know you won’t succeed until you don’t.”
The ADF and Invictus Australia have collaborated to send a combined team of 31 current and former-serving ADF members, as well as almost 90 of their family and friends.
“I’m bringing my best mate, his missus and their young daughter, Daisy,” he said.
“My mate and I deployed together, we travelled together and I bought a house just around the corner from him.
“They’ll be a great support.”
