FIVE years after losing both legs in Afghanistan, powerlifter Micky Yule is aiming for Rio 2016.

The Hampshire-based ex-serviceman is competing in Eger, Hungary at this week’s Para-Powerlifting European Open Championships.

That is a key qualification event for next summer’s Olympics.

A former Royal Engineers staff sergeant, Micky lost both his legs above the knee when he stepped on an improvised explosive device during a routine operation in Helmand Province in 2010.

He lost both his legs and has since undergone 40 operations.

A member of the Army powerlifting team before the injury, the sport has been a huge part of his rehabilitation and recovery, culminating in a fourth place for Team Scotland at last summer’s Commonwealth Games and gold at the Invictus Games.

The 36-year-old, who is supported by Help for Heroes’ Sports Recovery programme, is preparing to take on Europe’s best in the -80kg category on Thursday.

Last November he lifted a personal best 186kg at another qualifying event, the Malaysia Open Powerlifting Championship.

“I’m aiming to come back with a gold at the Euros and secure a top-eight world ranking for Rio qualification,” said Micky, who recently moved to Park Gate for family and training reasons.

“This is a massive competition and one I see as allowing me to take a step closer to competing in Rio next year.”

The Paralympics have been Micky’s top focus for some time.

He said: “I have a big Brazilian flag above my bench which I look at every time I train. It reminds me where I want to go.”

Micky trains full time thanks to National Lottery funding and Help for Heroes’ partnership with British Weightlifting and the British Paralympic Association to introduce military personnel to Paralympic sport.

Jayne Kavanagh, Performance Pathway Manager in Sports Recovery at Help for Heroes, added: “Micky is a great example of what can be achieved post injury.

“In our military athletes you’re seeing people who are developing resilient skills, and that is why sport is so powerful in that it has psychological and physiological benefits that enable them to cope and manage better.”

Micky is sponsored by Alliance Trust and Help for Heroes has been involved with Sports Recovery since 2008.