By Martin Zeilig
Corporal Kiernan Underwood emphasizes that he went into the recent Invictus Games 2025 in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., with three goals in mind.
Cpl Underwood, who works at the Transition Centre, was co-captain, along with Chief Warrant Officer Cheryl Belanger, a medical technician at CFB Borden, for the Invictus Games, held from February 8-16. Approximately 550 ill and injured veterans and serving armed forces personnel from 22 nations competed in 11 adaptive sports, including Alpine skiing and snowboarding, Nordic skiing, biathlon, skeleton, wheelchair curling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball.
“My first goal was forward progress on my road to recovery,” Cpl Underwood said during an interview with The Voxair on February 18. “Two was the positive impact for my wife and two children. Three was to help the next generation of athletes for the games. That one is
ongoing. I feel accomplished in my time at the games.”
The Invictus Games were created by Prince Harry after a 2013 visit to the U.S.-based Warrior Games, where he witnessed firsthand the important role that sports can play in improving the lives of ill and injured armed forces members, veterans, and their families, notes the
Government of Canada website.
“Invictus” means “unconquered” and embodies the fighting spirit of those competing at the Games, “and the incredible will they possess in continuing to overcome the challenges they face.” The participation of Team Canada at the Invictus Games was made possible through the Soldier On program, part of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, says the government website.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Cpl Underwood has been in the CAF for almost 20 years. “Originally, I was in the infantry at 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry,” he said.
“I got to the unit at Easter 2006 and I left the unit in 2019. In 2016, I had hip surgery following a hernia repair. Due to the surgery, I had a compulsory occupational transfer out of the unit to material technician.
In 2019, I did my training for the new trade and then in 2022 my family and I relocated to Winnipeg. I was posted to the Transition Centre in 2024.”
Cpl Underwood was also deployed to Afghanistan for eight months in 2008.
“I was a member of the Operational Mentor Liaison Team,” he said.
“We were a small four-man team that worked with the Afghan National Army to mentor and liaise with friendly forces.”
This was his first time participating in the Invictus Games. In fact, he added that it was his first time competing in any team sport. “After my surgery, I began running ultra-marathons,” he said. “I like running one hundred miles. But, it all depends on the condition of my body and the terrain.”
“It was challenging and a lot of fun,” Cpl Underwood said.
“The lessons learned and requirements for those races have helped me in other areas of my life. In June 2024, I graduated high school after working at it for a number of years. I had anxiety for the final exam. But, the tenacity and determination I use for getting through the
ultramarathons helped me get through the test and I got 100 percent on it.”
That same resolve helped motivate him during his three events at the Invictus Games—Nordic skiing, where he placed seventh out of 30 competitors; wheelchair rugby; and indoor rowing, both the four-minute row and the one-minute row.
“I started playing wheelchair rugby (months before the Invictus Games) with a local club, the Winnipeg 76ers,” said Cpl Underwood. “Nordic skiing I took up because of the games".
He also praised the Team Canada coaches and other staff members, as well as the international team of volunteers for helping make the games such an outstanding experience.
What a blast!
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