Dave Innes has his sights set on bringing home a medal when he travels to Australia to participate in the Invictus games in October.
The local veteran-turned-athlete is no stranger to pushing his body to its limit with weight training and athletics, but he has had to step up his game to prepare for his latest challenge.
See related: Inspiring local athlete to compete at Invictus Games
“This is a whole new level of training and working out,” Innes stated as he outlined a training program that spanned six out of seven days a week and will include traveling to Sudbury regularly to prepare for the three events he will be competing in powerlifting, rowing, and wheelchair basketball.
Innes became involved with the games last year as a flag bearer through Veterans Affairs during the ceremonies at CFB North Bay for the 2017 Invictus games held in Toronto.
Innes was approached at the flag ceremony and urged to put his name in the running for this year’s games, a step he never would have taken on his own.
Through his positive attitude, Innes has taken life as it comes and values the friendships he has already created and stories he has shared with his teammates, stating that is a big part of what Invictus stands for.
Australia 2018 is just the beginning for Innes, propelling him further into competition as he expresses a want to compete in the Pan American Games in 2019 as a powerlifter.
Portions of training costs have been covered, but fundraisers, such as a yoga/meditation session on May 29 at Algonquin Secondary School are planned to help cover remaining costs for training and equipment needed including a rowing machine with adaptive seating.
Born and raised in North Bay Innes states the support from the city he has already received has been incredible.
“It’s pretty cool how local people have gotten behind me, it’s motivation.”
For more information on fundraising events and David Innes’ road to Invictus click here.
