12th September 2014

ARCHER RICHARD BURKETT TALKS ABOUT HOW HE HAS COME TO COMPETE AT THE INVICTUS GAMES, PRESENTED BY JAGUAR LAND ROVER

12 September 2014 – After winning gold in the Compound Open event, we spoke to Major Richard Burkett of the US Marines to hear about how he has used sport to aid his recovery.

Major Burkett was involved in an MV-22 Osprey crash in Southern Morocco in April 2012 in which his right leg was injured to the extent it required an amputation below the knee.

He beat Canada's Luc Martin 138-137 in the final after a dramatic last end. Burkett's penultimate arrow was inspected with a magnifying glass to determine whether he had scored nine or ten points.

A nine would have seen the final go to a one arrow shoot-out but it was deemed a ten to spark celebrations among the USA team and a huge roar from the crowd at Here East.

How soon did you get involved in archery after the accident?

I was in a wheelchair at the archery range the first week that I was an outpatient from hospital. I was already asking about it when I was an inpatient so as soon as I heard about the archery programme I wanted to do it. I was involved in archery before the crash but never on anything to this degree or this level.

How have you used sport to help recover from your injuries?

Archery has been hugely instrumental in my recovery. Not just for getting out and getting away and doing something but also for the comradery it builds with your friends – getting away from the hospital and being able to focus on things other than your injuries is huge. Archery has really allowed me and the other guys that I am with to do that.

How did you come to be involved in the Invictus Games?

I heard about the Invictus Games through my command. In March my battalion commander said to me that he wanted me to think about coming to London. I was keen from the off to be involved and once I was medically cleared to travel I got here.

What were your feelings when waiting to find out whether your arrow was a nine or a ten to determine whether you had won gold?

It was pretty exciting. I said to myself getting ready to go in to the final that this was what I came here for. I came here for adrenaline, I came here for pressure, I came here for excitement. Once you win gold all that goes away and I’m looking for the next hunt. Had the arrow stayed at nine it would have been exciting because we would have gone into a one arrow shootout and there’s a lot of pressure when everything is one arrow.

How have you found the whole experience of the Invictus Games?

The British have been very gracious hosts and from the moment I came off the plane I’ve had a great time. The Invictus Games definitely need to carry on.The venues are good and the support is great. We have the Warrior Games back home which we’ve been doing for years but they are nothing like the Invictus Games. These have been a class act.

What is next for you?

The next step for me would be to make the US Paralympic team. Hopefully I will be able to do that this year and then aim for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.