British Veteran Overcomes Major Injuries to Compete in 2025 Invictus Games
Former British Army Officer Rob Shenton has secured a place in Team UK for the 2025 Invictus Games, marking a remarkable achievement following multiple setbacks including a life-threatening accident and previous unsuccessful applications.
Shenton, 52, who served 25 years before being medically discharged with recurrent depression and PTSD, will compete in Indoor Rowing at the upcoming Games in Canada this February. His selection comes after three previous unsuccessful applications dating back to 2017.
In August 2020, Shenton suffered a severe cycling accident that left him with multiple fractures including four vertebrae in his neck, two in his back, his lower skull, and left shoulder socket. Despite these injuries, he demonstrated exceptional resilience by completing the Blenheim triathlon and competing in the 1500m at the British Masters Athletics Championships just over a year after his accident.
"The 2025 Invictus Games are going to be a hybrid games with winter sports in place of athletics," Shenton explained. Although primarily a 1500m runner, he embraced the challenge of adapting to new sports, particularly showing interest in Nordic skiing.
To fully commit to his training, Shenton made the decision to take a six-month career break from his role as a Stakeholder Engagement Professional in government. He credits his success to a support network of coaches and professionals who helped him prepare for the competition.
The veteran, who recently married, emphasizes that his journey has been about more than just physical preparation. "I will have already won when I stand on that start line with United Kingdom written on my back," he stated, highlighting the personal significance of his achievement.
The Invictus Games, scheduled for February 8-16, 2025, in Canada, will feature Shenton competing alongside other members of Team UK. His participation represents not just a personal victory but serves as an inspiration for others facing similar challenges in their recovery journey.
Shenton also lives with degenerative spinal disease and is neurodiverse, making his achievement even more remarkable.
Beyond his athletic pursuits, Shenton has been a dedicated supporter of Project RECCE for the past five years, working closely with the charity's founder and CEO Neil Houlihan. As a regular speaker on the 'Pathway into Construction' course, he shares his experiences and insights on mental health, physical health, and resilience with beneficiaries. Recently appointed as a trustee of the charity, Shenton continues to demonstrate his commitment to supporting fellow veterans through their transition journey.
His story demonstrates the transformative power of sport in recovery and rehabilitation for military veterans, while his work with Project RECCE showcases the importance of peer support and mentorship in the veteran community.
Rob recently did a podcast with Jordan Sahota (MSST) and Active Motion Injury Clinic about his thoughts on coming back from injury, training, motivations and my Invictus Journey....
It's just over 30 mins so please have a listen....Rob Shenton - My Journey To 
