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From Army to Plunket to Invictus

12 April 2016


From Army to Plunket to Invictus

Ex-Army soldier and current Plunket Desktop Support Analyst Nu Filo is swapping tech for training in the lead up to the Invictus Games 2016.

The Wellingtonian, who is an ex-Infantry Soldier in 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment was selected to represent the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and is relishing the challenge of re-engaging with his military colleagues in a bid to bring back gold.

“After serving in the Army for 10 years I was injured in an accidental explosion, which caused a below-the-knee amputation to my right leg. I found myself facing a dramatic change to my Army career,” Nu says.

However, Nu has always maintained a strong regime of physical fitness – something that will stand him in good stead as he heads to compete overseas.

The Invictus Games provides an international stage that unites wounded, ill and injured Service men and women from around the world. The Games enable both active duty personnel and veterans to learn and share through their common experiences.

Adaptive sports competitions like the Invictus Games aid in holistic healing throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially.

“My accident has left me with a keen sense of discipline, not only for myself, but for the journey I am going through,” he says.

Nu hopes to compete in rowing, power lifting, and athletics.

In 2014, the NZDF sent a contingent of 12 athletes to compete against over 400 athletes from 13 countries in the Games – bringing back six medals for their efforts.

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In the 2016 Games, 20 New Zealand competitors will take up the Invictus challenge.

More than 500 competitors from 15 countries will compete in 10 adaptive sports – including archery, road cycling, power lifting, indoor rowing, athletics, swimming, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and sitting volleyball.

The NZDF Invictus Games team is proudly supported by the Auckland and Christchurch RSAs, BLK Sports, Fulton Hogan NZ, the OffLimits Trust, and the Fallen Heroes Trust.

Follow the team’s progress on facebook.com/InvictusGamesNZ

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