US Competitor Profile – Q & A with Tino Uli
Healing Power
Staff Sergeant Tino Uli spent 10 years in the U.S. Air Force as a security forces member – including two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tino enjoys spending time with his children, engaging in physical fitness and finding new ways to challenge himself. He plans on enrolling in university to pursue a degree in sports medicine.
We sat down with US team member Tino Uli to hear about how sports have helped in his recovery – see what he had to say.
Were you an athlete or involved in sports prior to participating in adaptive sports?
Tino Uli: Yes, I was. I participated in Football, Track and Field, and swimming when I was in high school.
What’s your fondest adaptive sports memory?
TU: Competing against other branches and receiving a medal at the Warrior Games for cycling. Competition is just a blast especially against other services.
How have adaptive sports helped you recover from physical and/or emotional injuries?
TU: Adaptive sports give me a purpose and goal to work towards. They also give me something to occupy my time especially when dealing with my PTSD. It keeps my mind busy and focused on positive events and thinking instead of the negative events and thoughts related to PTSD.
What do you enjoy most about training for the Invictus Games?
TU: Achieving small goals gives you the motivation to reach the big goals. It’s great to set goals for each week and achieving the benchmark goals – making you even more excited to do more.
What are you hoping to achieve at the 2016 Invictus Games?
TU: My goal is to bond with fellow teammates. Of course, I want to medal too and give it all during the competition, but meeting other warriors and getting to know them is important to me.
What motivates you to compete in the Invictus Games?
TU: The friendly competition, representing my country, and feeling like a part of the Air Force again.
What does Invictus mean to you?
TU: I am persevering through my recovery by using sport. Sport provides me a healing power that excites me.
Watch Tino go for Gold in Cycling, Indoor Rowing and Track & Field on May 9 – 10.
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