Local Petty Officer Preparing for a Different Battle

13 April 2016

Local Petty Officer Preparing for a Different Battle

Glenfield local, Petty Officer (PO) Aaron Gibbs is aiming for gold as a member of the 2016 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Invictus Games team.

With an NZDF career spanning 21 years, PO Gibbs, who is based in Devonport’s Naval Operational Health Unit, was selected to be part of the team, following total hip replacement surgery.

PO Gibbs says “I am immensely proud and humbled to be selected as part of the Kiwi Team. I am still recovering from my hip surgery, which has left me with reduced movement and power in my hips.”

The physical restriction is just one of the challenges PO Gibbs has faced.

“I have also had issues with depression as a result of enduring years of prolonged pain,” he said.

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.

“Being part of the Invictus Games gives me a sense of belonging, and a drive to succeed while being rehabilitated though competitive sport,” PO Gibbs said.

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.

This year there will be 18 New Zealand competitors, including PO Gibbs, who 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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