Steve Richards

ADF service: I joined the Army in 2005 as a Fitter Armament before transferring to the Royal Australian Air Force as a Ground Mechanical Engineering Fitter. I was medically discharged in 2022.

Current occupation: I work at Defence Force Recruiting.

Age: 40

Home town: Christchurch, New Zealand.

Current town: Maitland, New South Wales.

Competing in: Archery, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.

What is the nature of your injury or illness? I have a lot of chronic back issues from torn discs, dehydrated discs and spondylosis. I also have mental health injuries from living with chronic pain for around 15 years.

What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Sport has been my happy place, in particular archery. It helps me wind down and focus.

Sport background: I have been involved with archery for 26 years. I have also helped start a couple of clubs, Port Stephens Archers and the Air Force Archery Association.

What is your greatest achievement to date? Still being alive after all the crazy things I've done.

Why did you apply for the Invictus Games? To network with other veterans and the opportunity to represent my country again.

What will success look like for you at the Games? Walking away knowing I did my best and celebrating that.

What does unconquered mean to you? Unconquered always reminds of Stoicism.  It’s a philosophy I try to model my life around. To be unconquered is all in the mind.

“Objective judgement, now at this very moment.  Unselfish action, now at this very moment.  Willing acceptance, now at this very moment, of all external events.  That’s all you need.”  - Marcus Aurelius