The Invictus Games - One To Watch

Part-time BMF Instructor and Major mud run volunteer Steve Cokayne says he is “still buzzing” after being selected to take part in the Invictus Games in Toronto this September. More than 770 people registered their interest in the UK team which had just 90 places available.

Steve will compete in the powerlifting event, after building up from lifting 80kg to 130, as well as the shot put and discus in the track and field.

It’s a huge honour .and something Steve has worked hard to achieve after losing his right leg below the knee following an accident in 2009. He was serving in the Royal Artillery at the time and taking part in adventurous training on the Isle of Man when he fell while rock climbing. It cut short his military career at the age of just 21 as he was medically discharged.

He said: “I can remember it clear as day. It was a long way down – a 130-foot fall. We were training on the Isle of Man after a tour in Northern Ireland followed by Cyprus.”

Steve began a career as a diesel freight train driver but says he doesn’t like all the sitting down that involves, so he works hard at keeping fit too – sometimes working as a BMF instructor and also volunteering at the Major’s mud runs.

He said: “I missed the teamwork and camaraderie that you get in the military so wanted to get involved. I love helping the runners get through at the Major. My favourite obstacle is the vanishing bridge because it’s the funniest. I usually get as muddy as the runners!

“My everyday leg is like a mini running blade and it’s designed so it can fit a rubber foot on the bottom so I can get around pretty well on it. But I can’t take part at the moment unless I invest in a waterproof leg which would be an expensive bit of kit.”

In October 2016, he was emailed an invitation to try out for the Invictus Games and agreed to give it a go. He missed out on the previous Games because he was recovering from yet more surgery.

He went to training camps all around the country and then attended trials at Bath University in April this year, alongside 300 other hopefuls. Two weeks ago, he learned that he had been selected to take part in the and was ‘well chuffed.’

He said: “I was on holiday at the time and was queuing up for the Jurassic Park ride when I checked my phone. I let out a massive “Yes!” and everyone turned around and looked at me!”

Next, Steve went to the Tower of London for a photo call with all the media, other participants and the Games’ figurehead Prince Harry. He said: “I had a good chat with him. He had time for everybody. He’s a really down-to-earth guy.”

Now the hard training starts. Steve has three powerlifting and three athletics training camps in between now and September as well as a four-day a week training plan.

All this might mean he won’t be able to help at the Major event this year - something he has done for the past three to four years.  But we’ll forgive him and we wish him all the very best with his training over the next 12 weeks!