A ‘get on with it’ attitude has seen Rossmoyne resident Richard Wassell, 51, overcome a series of major strokes to become one of the best indoor rowers in the world.
He wants to prove it once again at the Invictus Games in Canada this September.
The Invictus Games, an initiative of Prince Harry of Wales, brings together more than 550 athletes from 17 allied nations who have been wounded, injured or become ill as a consequence of their military service.
Mr Wassell, who is also a member of the Riverton RSL, was just 28-years-old when he suffered a series of major strokes while out at sea as a submariner on HMAS Ovens.
He was medically discharged and felt lost until he found recovery and solace in sport and now holds three world records in indoor rowing.
“After I had the stroke I started running and ended up doing marathons and ultra marathons,” he said.
“I chose indoor rowing which is a part of the crossfit stuff because I was reasonably good at it and I kept going because it was something I enjoyed.
“After my stroke I could’ve gone either way.
“There were a couple of days where I didn’t know what was going on, then there were a couple of days where I realised it was probably going to be permanent and then I sort of just got on with it.
“I thought, ‘I’m only 28, I’ve got my whole life ahead of me’.
“I now call it my stroke of luck.”
Mr Wassell said he was overwhelmed to be chosen for the games and was humbled to be a part of such a great group of former soldiers.
“I’m extremely excited and still coming to grips with it all because I can’t quite believe that I’ve been chosen,” he said.
Mr Wassell said he hoped his experience would encourage other veterans to apply for the 2018 Invictus Games, which will be held in Sydney.
“I want to inspire people,” he said.
“I want people to look at me and say, because of you, I didn’t give up.”
Riverton RSL president Bill Collidge said he was extremely proud of Mr Wassell’s achievements as an Australian ex-serviceman and he called on all sub-branch members and the local community to get behind Mr Wassell and support his remarkable endeavours.
“The Invictus Games is the stuff of legends and for Richard to be chosen as part of a 50-person Australian team from more than 180 applicants speaks volumes for his abilities and his determination to overcome adversity,” he said.
Mr Wassell will undergo further trials in March before the games are held from September 24 to 30 in Toronto, Canada.
For more information and to follow the Australian team’s progress visit defence.gov.au/events/InvictusGames/ or search for Team Invictus Australia on facebook.
