A tennis player from Formby has won gold at the Invictus games
A tennis player from Formby has won gold at the Invictus games. Former Royal Marine Alexander Krol clinched gold in the wheelchair tennis doubles alongside partner Kevin Drake.
The UK team’s two doubles pairings of Kevin Drake and Alex Krol and Kirk Hughes and Cornelia Oosthuizen claimed a sensational gold and bronze medal haul as the three-day wheelchair tennis competition drew to a close at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 on Monday night 25th September.
Alex had his family on hand in Toronto to share that golden moment with him. Alex Krol and his partner Kevin Drake defeated New Zealand 6-4 to claim the gold.
Alex Krol's military career ended in 2005 after he was injured in a road traffic accident while on duty. He sustained a spinal injury (T4 Complete) and has no movement or sensation below his chest, resulting in him being a full-time wheelchair user. Having competed in wheelchair tennis at Orlando 2016, Alex has added another sport – rowing – to his repertoire for this year’s Invictus Games. He says taking part is a vital part of his recovery: “Sport was always a major part of my life and after my accident I was determined to continue and not let my injury stop me. I see the Games as being a crucial part in this stage of my recovery."
The word Invictus is a Latin term meaning “undefeated” or “unconquered” and the 35-year-old is one of 550 athletes across 17 nations who compete in these Games to express these very virtues.
It was an emotional moment for the family and it was clear that Alex's wife, Jayne could not have been prouder when speaking about her inspirational husband and what he has accomplished.
Jayne said: “I think he trained even harder this year with his son, Xander here to prove that he can do it again and be a really good role model,”
“It means everything to him and he got emotional at the end because it meant so much for him to perform in front of his son and to be able to tell him about it when he is older.”
Krol and his son celebrate a gold medal for the United Kingdom on Monday evening at the Invictus Games.
In total, 550 athletes from 17 nations are competing across 12 sports, including the 90-strong UK team of wounded, injured and sick (WIS) serving military personnel and veterans.
Krol and his partner Kevin Drake celebrate their gold medal for the United Kingdom
The Games, launched by Prince Harry in 2014, are the only international sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick servicemen, women and veterans.
The Invictus Games Toronto 2017 - To find
out more, go to www.invictusgames2017.com
