Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023

Andrii Kucher

Andrii Kucher is a wounded Ukrainian veteran who was seriously injured while serving with the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade during Russia’s invasion.

After five surgeries left him with limited movement in his arm, Andrii turned to sport as part of his own rehabilitation and found a new mission in supporting other wounded service personnel.

In 2023, he founded the Union of Wounded Military of Ukraine, Strong 300, which supports veterans through rehabilitation, legal assistance and sport.

Andrii has become an active member of the We Are Invictus Community, taking part in sporting events and encouraging other Ukrainian veterans to pursue recovery through sport.

He represented Ukraine at the London Marathon after being inspired by other members of the Invictus Community who competed there.

As head of Strong 300, he continues to advocate for wounded veterans and improve access to rehabilitation and sporting opportunities.

Through his own recovery and his work with Strong 300 and the Invictus Community, Andrii continues to demonstrate how sport can help wounded service personnel rebuild confidence, purpose and connection after injury.

Mindaugas Kolbinas

Mindaugas Kolbinas has played a leading role in developing the Invictus Community in Lithuania, combining his own experience as a wounded service member with a commitment to helping others access recovery through sport.

A competitor and team captain at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, he founded the Lithuanian Armed Forces Wounded Warrior Foundation to create more opportunities for wounded service personnel to participate in sport.

His work helped Lithuania join the Invictus Community and has since focused on making adaptive sport more accessible to its members.

He has helped expand access to adaptive sport by securing resources, organising training camps, connecting participants with qualified coaches, and developing partnerships with organisations including Lithuanian Sports University to support long-term sporting development.

Through his work with the Invictus Games Foundation and other member nations of the community, he has helped connect Lithuania's wounded service personnel with the wider international community.

His leadership has helped turn Lithuania's participation in the Invictus Movement into practical opportunities for recovery through sport, with a focus on ensuring that wounded service personnel have the support and equipment they need to take part.

Elizabeth 'Liz' Winfield

Led operationally by COO Elizabeth 'Liz' Winfield, the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team (AFPST) has helped expand recovery through adaptive sport beyond the UK through Project Volya, a pioneering programme delivered in Ukraine during the ongoing war, as part of the Invictus Games Foundation's Signature Programme.

Working with the Invictus Games Foundation, AFPST trained 25 Ukrainian instructors across Alpine, Snowboard and Nordic disciplines, creating local expertise that can continue supporting recovery through sport.

The programme also introduced 25 Ukrainian wounded, injured and sick service personnel to sport-based recovery, with more than half of the AFPST instructors themselves having lived experience of injury or illness.

Several participants have since progressed to international opportunities, including snowsport experiences delivered through the Invictus Games Foundation.

Project Volya builds on AFPST’s decade of experience delivering adaptive snowsport and its long-standing support for the Invictus Community.

Through the programme, AFPST has helped Ukraine develop its own capacity to deliver adaptive snowsport while strengthening connections between Ukrainian participants and the wider Invictus Community.

General Christopher Musa

General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence and former Chief of Defence Staff, has played a key role in bringing recovery through sport to the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Under his leadership, Nigeria became the first African nation to join the Invictus Community and competed at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.

General Musa has championed sport as a tool for the rehabilitation and reintegration of wounded, injured and sick service personnel, working alongside the Invictus Games Foundation to develop opportunities for adaptive sport in Nigeria.

In 2025, he led the groundbreaking for the Armed Forces Invictus Centre in Abuja, a dedicated facility designed to support recovery through sport and rehabilitation.

He has also supported Team Nigeria's continued participation in the Invictus Games, welcoming the team home after Vancouver Whistler 2025 following a seven-medal campaign.

Through his leadership, sport recovery has become an increasingly important part of support for Nigeria’s wounded, injured and sick service personnel.

The Armed Forces Invictus Centre will provide a lasting platform for the Invictus Community in Nigeria, helping more service personnel access the benefits of sport long after the Games themselves.

Doug Griffiths

Doug Griffiths served for 36 years in the Royal Australian Navy before being diagnosed with Stage IV rare and incurable cancer.

Despite his diagnosis and ongoing treatment, Doug has continued to use sport as part of his recovery, competing for and serving as Co-Captain of Team Invictus Australia at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

His involvement with the Invictus Community has also seen him become a passionate advocate for veterans and the role of sport in recovery.

Over 18 months, Doug raised more than AUD $21,900 for Invictus Australia through demanding endurance events, including the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii and the UTMB Kosciuszko 100 ultramarathon.

Doug competed for Team Australia at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, using adaptive sport as part of his recovery while living with Stage IV cancer and continuing treatment.

He continues to support the Invictus Community through volunteering, advocacy and engagement with veterans, corporate partners and grassroots sporting initiatives.

His determination to remain active and support others while living with a life-limiting illness reflects the lasting impact of the Invictus Community and his commitment to helping others find purpose through sport.