Second Time at Invictus Games for Auckland Local

14 April 2016

Second Time at Invictus Games for Auckland Local

Auckland local, Petty Officer Seamanship Combat Specialist (POSCS) Tana ‘Johnny’ Pungatara is back in training and aiming for gold as a member of the 2016 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Invictus Games team.

The Taupo-born Barrack Master, with 38 years service under his belt, is looking forward to once again being part of the Kiwi Team – having competed in the 2014 Games, held in London.

POSCS Pungatara says: “This is another excellent opportunity for me to meet some amazing people. Once again I have been given the opportunity to be part of a team who will make my family, my service, and my country proud.”

The physical element of competing in adaptive sports is a huge challenge for many of the NZDF team members – one they are each determined to overcome.

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.

POSCS Pungatara hopes to compete in a variety of sports, including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, archery, and swimming.

In 2014, 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.

In the 2016 Games, 18 New Zealand competitors, including POSCS Pungatara, 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

ENDS

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