WASHINGTON (June 7, 2016) -- The medically retired National Guardsman took aim at the target, drew the arrow back with his teeth and released, scoring a nine as he hit in the ring outside the bullseye during competition in recurve bow at the Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, May 9.
Sgt. Robbie Gaupp, who had never shot the recurve before competing in the novice team recurve before the Invictus Games, earned the bronze medal with his team. He also earned bronze medals in the men's 100-meter and 200-meter running events in his disability category. He hopes this will help his chances at becoming the Ultimate Warrior at the Department of Defense Warrior Games at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, June 15-21.
INVICTUS
"I only had four hours of practice on the recurve," Gaupp said. "I've never shot it before in my life."
Gaupp usually shoots the compound. He said the team wasn't nervous and said they were going to do their best. He said it came down to teamwork and the training he received from his Team Army coaches.
"We talked to each other on the line, and we all came in there with different disabilities," he said. "This was our first time shooting together as a team, and we went in with the mindset that we were walking away with a medal."
While Gaupp appreciates earning a medal with his teammates, he said the spirit of the Invictus Games was important.
"We know we have injuries and watching someone overcome something that they were given with their disability is far superior than winning a medal anytime," he said.
INJURY
While out on mission with Border Support Security for the state of Texas for Operation Jump Start in 2008, Gaupp shattered his shoulder, tore his ligaments and tendons and his chest cavity.
He was right-handed dominant and now has to do everything left handed. He had two surgeries and was able do to salvage his arm.
"Luckily, I'm alive. It could've been worse. I have two wonderful kids. Yeah sometimes it's a struggle because they want to do things I can't do, but it's all good," Gaupp said of his son, Anzel, 9, and Patience, 7.
His children said they were really proud of him at the Invictus Games.
"He shot pretty good," Patience said of her dad. "He's awesome."
Anzel said he's never tried archery but "dad's going to teach me."
He also said he and his dad have raced. "We've tied," he said with a smile.
When asked what they both want people to know most about their father, they said in unison, "That he's an athlete."
ADAPTIVE SPORTS
Gaupp said he went to a dark place when he got injured, but then he decided to give adapted sports a try and learned just how resilient he is. He encourages other service members to give them a try as well. "Don't give up," he said. "There is something out there; there is moral support in everything and that goes for anything. Say to yourself, 'I got this. I can do this and you know what? I can make this.' You've got to find this within yourself. No matter what, you can overcome anything. We can adapt."
He said he knows that he can no longer do certain things because of his injuries, but "it doesn't stop me from trying," he said. "I know I'm not going to ever be able to catch a football the same. I'm not going to be able to run the same. So I just adapted to that, and I found a way to make it even better, and yes, I might not ever be able to run as fast as I could, but I'm going to get as close as I possibly can," he said.
WARRIOR GAMES
Gaupp has competed in several Warrior Games and he said his first Warrior Games meant a lot to him. "I had nothing. I didn't know where I was. I didn't know what I was going to do. Life was all confusing to me. I was a general mess," he said. "It was like wow, I've got the opportunity to compete with other injured Soldiers who are overcoming adversity, so when I'm down, I get to watch somebody who may have a worse injury than me and say to myself, 'If they can do it, I can do it.' Watching those people succeed made me want to push harder to make myself succeed."
This year, he is shooting for the Ultimate Champion, a pentathlon-style event that pits warriors against each other in a variety of disciplines. Points are earned in each discipline with the athlete collecting the most points being crowned Ultimate Champion of the DoD Warrior Games.
"I can't wait because the Army's never had an Ultimate Warrior that's actually won, and I think I have a great chance to do that," he said.
Gaupp is also on the Paralympic track and field team. He is qualified, but doesn't know yet if has been selected for Rio de Janeiro in September. He also plans on going to Nationals.
"I don't know if I made the team, but if not, I'm not giving up," he said. "I'll shoot for 2020 and 2024."
At the DoD Warrior Games, about 250 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and the United Kingdom Armed Forces will participate in eight sporting events -- archery, cycling, track and field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming and wheelchair basketball. The DoD Warrior Games highlight the resiliency and warrior spirit of service members, veterans and their families and caregivers.
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