Adaptive Sports Competitions

Intense moments from wheelchair rugby and basketball games featuring injured service members competing in the Warrior Games, highlighting resilience and teamwork.

Disabled athletes playing rugby at sport court
Disabled athletes playing rugby at sport court
131 assets in this story
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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Annika Hustler, veteran, takes part in the wheelchair rugby prelims, during the 2022 DoD Warrior Games in Orlando, Fla. on Aug. 20, 2022. The annual event celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured U.S. Service Members and veterans.
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ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 22, 2022) Team Air Force and Team Navy compete in the gold medal wheelchair rugby game at the 2022 DoD Warrior Games, Aug. 22, 2022. The Warrior Games are composed of over 200 wounded, ill and injured service members and veteran athletes, competing in 12 adaptive sporting events Aug. 19-28, 2022 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
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Disabled players sitting in wheelchair and playing rugby
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U.S. Air Force Chief MSgt. Garrett Kuwada, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, prepares his arrows during an archery competition at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 28th, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. The DoD Warrior Games serve as a way to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors by engaging them outside of traditional therapy settings. Participation in these games showcases the service members dedication to the adaptive sports program, and their limitless potential through competitive sports.
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cole Thielen participates in wheelchair basketball practice at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 18, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army at the Walt Disney World Resort, this years Warrior Games sees service members and veterans from across the DoD competing in a variety of adaptive sports alongside armed forces athletes from Canada and Ukraine.
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TAMPA, Fla. (June 27, 2019) Utilitiesman 2nd Class Joshua Laban participates in a wheelchair rugby match for Team Navy against Team Australia during the 2019 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games at the Tampa Convention Center, June 27, 2019. Team Navy comprises athletes from Navy Wounded Warrior-Safe Harbor, the Navys sole organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, providing resources and support to their families.
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An athlete with Team Marine Corps, takes part in the wheelchair rugby prelims, during the 2022 DoD Warrior Games in Orlando, Fla. on Aug. 20, 2022. The annual event celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured U.S. Service Members and veterans.
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Reserve U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Greene, Team U.S., catches the ball during wheelchair rugby practice for the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Va. on April 10, 2022. The Invictus Games are composed of 15 nations, over 500 military competitors, competing in 10 sporting events April 16-22, 2022.
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Retired U.S. Navy Utilitiesman Second Class Joshua Laban celebrates after the wheelchair rugby gold-medal match against Team United Kingdom during the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 20, 2022.
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Team U.S. competes in the wheelchair rugby match against Team Australia during the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 19, 2022.
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U.S. Marine Corps Captain Andrew Hairston, a recovering service member at Wounded Warrior Battalion East, instructs Edwin Cedeno, a community member, how to perform seated archery in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aug. 13, 2022. Hairston founded a nonprofit organization named Salvage Life, which aims to help people with disabilities through adaptive sports.
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Retired U.S. Army Spc. Michael Villagran is surrounded by Team SOCOM during the wheelchair rugby bronze medal match at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando, Florida, Aug. 22, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army at the Walt Disney World Resort, this years Warrior Games sees service members and veterans from across the DoD competing in a variety of adaptive sports alongside armed forces athletes from Canada and Ukraine.
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U.S. Army Master Sgt. Mike Haley, practicing for Wheelchair BasketBall during the U.S. Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 30th. Over 70 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers are training in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track, field, rowing, and wheelchair basketball. The Adaptive Sports Camp celebrates wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers' ability to recover and overcome. The Army holds qualifying trials for Active Duty, wounded, ill or injured Soldiers to assess and select athletes for competition in the DoD Warrior Games Challenge. This year, the DoD Warrior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.
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Happy disabled rugby players sitting in wheelchair in front of wall at sports court
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kenneth Guinn, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, blocks a Team Navy athlete during a wheelchair rugby game at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 21st, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. The DoD Warrior Games feature a variety of adaptive sports such as wheelchair basketball, archery, sitting volleyball, and many more. These sports provide reconditioning activities and competitive athletic opportunities to all wounded, ill and injured service members in effort to improve their quality of life throughout the continuum of recovery and transition.
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Happy disabled athletes stacking hands together before match at sports court
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U.S. Army Capt. Luis Avila, left, is assisted by coach Brent Sixkiller while competing in the archery event during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 27, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army, service members and veterans from across the DoD compete in adaptive sports alongside armed forces competitors from Canada and Ukraine.
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Retired U.S. Army Spc. Michael Villagran shakes hands with his opponent during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 21, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army at the Walt Disney World Resort, this years Warrior Games sees service members and veterans from across the DoD competing in a variety of adaptive sports alongside armed forces athletes from Canada and Ukraine.
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Brian Frasure, left, a clinical prosthetist and world-class athlete, speaks to the audience on the last day of the Military Amputees Advances Skills Training workshop June 1 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
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120905-A-SR101-228LONDON (Sept. 10, 2012) Will Groulx, center, a U.S. Navy veteran and a team captain for the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Rugby Team, clashes with an opposing Great Britain player after an inbounds pass at the Riverbank Arena during the Paralympic Games in London.
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Wheelchair Couple Dancing In The Competition In Russia
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120430-O-ZZ999-686 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 30, 2012) Marine Cpl. Anthony McDaniel, from Pascagoula, Miss., passes the torch to the U.S. Coast Guard during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Warrior Games competition.
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Team Ukraine athletes sing along to their national anthem after a wheelchair basketball game at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 24, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. Created in 2010, the DoD Warrior Games introduces wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans to Paralympic-style sports. These games showcase the resilient spirit of todays service members across all branches of the military, including partner nations.
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cole Thielen celebrates with his daughter after competing in a wheelchair rugby match during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 20, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army, service members and veterans from across the DoD compete in adaptive sports alongside armed forces competitors from Canada and Ukraine.
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U.S. Army Sgt. Nicole Crane powers through the pain while competing in an indoor rowing event during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 23, 2022. Hosted by the U.S. Army, service members and veterans from across the DoD compete in adaptive sports alongside armed forces competitors from Canada and Ukraine.
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U.S. Army Cpl. Andrew Garcia, assigned to 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera) and Retired Spc. Brent Garlic, an Invictus Game competitor conduct an interview April 9, 2022 on Fort Belvoir, VA. Team U.S is a part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in The Invictus Games The Hague 2020 featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair ruby, and a driving challenge.
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Team Air Force athletes pose with Team Ukraine and Team Navy athletes following a medal ceremony for seated volleyball at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 28th, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. The DoD Warrior Games feature a variety of adaptive sports such as wheelchair basketball, archery, sitting volleyball, and many more. These sports provide reconditioning activities and competitive athletic opportunities to all wounded, ill and injured service members in effort to improve their quality of life throughout the continuum of recovery and transition.
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Anefo photo collection. Olympic Games for the Disabled; Irene Schmit (right) and Gerda Becker (left) congratulate each other with gold and bronze at table tennis. 28 June 1980. Arnhem, Papendal
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Joan Mann Special Sports Day athletes are congratulated by by various distinguished guests following the 40th annual Joan Mann Special Sports Day closing ceremonies at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Sept. 30, 2022. Participants competed in many individual and team events, including bowling, basketball, dart toss, football kick, obstacle course and American football throw.