A display of camaraderie by two warrior athletes competing in wheelchair basketball at the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge. (Photo: Shawn Sprayberry, U.S. Air Force)
The 2023 Department of Defense Warrior Games Challenge, hosted by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, is currently underway at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. The event started on Friday and will continue until June 12.
This annual adaptive-sports competition celebrates its 13th anniversary this year. The event showcases the physical skills and mental toughness of the seriously wounded, ill, and injured active-duty service members and Veterans. Over 200 athletes from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Command, or SOCOM, are competing in adaptive sports as part of their recovery journeys.
What Makes the Warrior Games Challenge Special
The Warrior Games Challenge features a diverse range of adaptive sports, including archery, cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, shooting, indoor rowing, and powerlifting. The event is marked by a culture of camaraderie that transcends the perceived distinctions between the military branches as athletes encourage and support one another.
Adaptive sports are a pivotal role within the larger DoD Warrior Care program. These sports offer reconditioning activities and competitive athletic opportunities to all wounded, ill, and injured service members and Veterans, promoting their physical and mental well-being throughout the recovery and transition process. The Warrior Games Challenge provides an opportunity for wounded warriors to engage in sports activities outside of traditional therapy settings, thereby enhancing their recovery process.
This year’s event marks the first time the DoD Warrior Games is being held in San Diego. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the resources available through the DoD Warrior Care programs and demonstrates the transformative power of adaptive sports in the lives of wounded warriors.
Media and spectators are invited to witness the ongoing Warrior Games Challenge firsthand at Naval Air Station North Island. For those unable to attend the event in person, the official Warrior Games livestream broadcast is available on the Warrior Games website. To access the schedule of sporting events and obtain additional information about the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge, visit the event schedule page.
The 2023 DoD Warrior Games Challenge is an opportunity to witness the determination and resilience of these warrior athletes as they compete in adaptive sports and continue their journey towards recovery.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
