Adaptive Sports in Action

Scenes from wheelchair sports, showcasing athletes in dynamic competitions. Emphasis on teamwork and resilience in adaptive sports.

Senior man playing with rugby ball near team at sports center

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Montes eyes the try line while competing in the wheelchair rugby event 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.

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Montes shields the ball from a defender while competing in a game of wheelchair rugby 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.

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. (Ret.) Harry McClure, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, prepares to shoot the ball during 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.

Women having discussion at sport center

U.S. Army Soldiers, practicing Wheelchair Rugby 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.

Senior man playing with rugby ball near team at sports center

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gabi Cha, Team U.S., trains for wheelchair basketball practice, during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on April 11, 2022. Team U.S. is part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in this multi-sport event featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Brent Garlic moves down the court in a wheelchair basketball game during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 24, 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.

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Brent Garlic, takes part in the final wheelchair basketball game for the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 22, 2022. The Invictus Games are composed of nearly 20 nations, over 500 military competitors, competing in 10 sporting events April 16-22, 2022.

All-Marine wheelchair basketball players Lance Cpl. Austin Allen, a native of Effingham, S.C., and veteran Marine Cpl. Richard Bacchus, battle for a rebound during pre-game warm-ups before taking on the All-Navy/Coast Guard team May 18, 2011, during the Warrior Games at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Marines beat the Navy 28-9.

disabled war veterans in action while playing basketball on a basketball court with professional sports equipment for the disabled. High quality photo. disabled war veterans in action while playing basketball on a basketball court with professional sports equipment for the disabled

Dr. Yvonne Larochelle, physical therapist, Fort Stewart Soldier Recovery Unit, launches a shot during an exhibition wheelchair basketball game, May 7, 2022, at the U.S. Army Trials, Fort Bragg North Carolina. Nearly 40 wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers are at Fort Bragg May 3 - 9 to compete in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track, field, rowing, and wheelchair basketball. The Army holds qualifying trials for active duty Soldiers and veterans to assess and select athletes for competition in the DoD Warrior Games. Active duty athletes compete in person at the Army Trials to be assessed for selection, while veterans compete virtually and submit their results to the Army Recovery Care Program for assessment and Team Army selection. This year, the DoD Warrior Games will take place in Orlando, Florida, August 16 - 29, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Col. Sean McNamara, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, practices prior to a wheelchair basketball game at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 24th, 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.

U.S. Army Cpt. Veronica, Jones shoots the ball during the U.S.Army Adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, April, 1st.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 Warrior Games Challenge. This year, the Warrior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.

Reportage on accessibility for disabled people in Geneva, Switzerland. The Aigles de Meyrin Wheelchair Basketball team train in Geneva.

120502-N-QF368-590COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 2, 2012) Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sonny Lemerande, right, races down the court during the wheelchair basketball competition between the Special Operations and the Navy/Coast Guard at the 2012 Warrior Games. More than 200 wounded, ill or injured service members from the U.S. and British armed forces are scheduled to compete in the Paralympics-style competition, May 1-5.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2022) Retired U.S. Navy Culinary Specialist Second Class Mario Ingram, Team Navy, shoots the basketball while being defended by Team USMC during the wheelchair basketball game at the DoD Warrior Games, Aug. 25, 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 the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Team U.S. athletes, trains for wheelchair besketball, during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on April 8, 2022. Team U.S. is part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in this multi-sport event featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.

Team Army athletes gather into a huddle while conducting wheelchair basketball practice during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games 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.

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Brent Garlic, an Invictus Games competitor participate in a scrimmage during rugby training April 10, 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.

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Michael Villagran scores a goal while 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.

The Sterling Heights Challengers, a team of disabled high school students, plays wheelchair basketball against non-disabled faculty and staff at De La Salle Collegiate, a Catholic high school; the Challengers play in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, Warren, Michigan, USA, North America

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2022) Team Canada and Team Army compete in wheelchair rugby at the 2022 DoD Warrior Games in Orlando, Florida. The Warrior Games are composed of over 200 wounded, ill and injured service member and veteran athletes, competing in 12 adaptive sporting events Aug. 19-28, 2022 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Brian Williams, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, holds the ball during a wheelchiar basketball game at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 25, 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.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2022) Team Air Force and Team Marine Corps compete in wheelchair rugby at the 2022 DoD Warrior Games in Orlando, Florida. The Warrior Games are composed of over 200 wounded, ill and injured service member and veteran athletes, competing in 12 adaptive sporting events Aug. 19-28, 2022 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Reportage on accessibility for disabled people in Geneva, Switzerland. The Aigles de Meyrin Wheelchair Basketball team train in Geneva.

Retired U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Greene, Team U.S., dribbles down the court during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, April 12, 2022. The Invictus Games are composed of 15 nations, over 500 military competitors, competing in 10 sporting events April 16-22, 2022.

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Montes reaches for a try 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.

Man with disability playing rugby at sports center

U.S. Army Spc. Corine Hamilton, Walter Reed Soldier Recover Unit, is ready to work on drills before the wheelchair basketball event, May 7, 2022, at Fort Bragg North Carolina. Nearly 40 wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers are at Fort Bragg May 3 - 9 to compete in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track, field, rowing, and wheelchair basketball. The Army holds qualifying trials for active duty Soldiers and veterans to assess and select athletes for competition in the DoD Warrior Games. Active duty athletes compete in person at the Army Trials to be assessed for selection, while veterans compete virtually and submit their results to the Army Recovery Care Program for assessment and Team Army selection. This year, the DoD Warrior Games will take place in Orlando, Florida, August 16 - 29, 2022.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2022) Retired U.S. Army Spc. Brent Garlic, Team Army, shoots the basketball surrounded by Team Air Force defenders during the wheelchair basketball game at the DoD Warrior Games. 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 the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Greene, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, shoots a free throw during a wheelchair basketball match at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 25, 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.

Men in wheelchairs playing pararugby

Team U.S. warms up before the wheelchair rugby match against Team Australia during the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 19, 2022.

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Michael Villagran races down the court during wheelchair rugby practice at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games 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.

Happy disabled athlete sitting with sports ball in wheelchair

Madrid, 12/03/2014. Pedro Sanchez visits a laundry serviced by disabled people and plays a game of wheelchair basketball. Photo: Isabel Permuy ARCHDC.

Steven Davis shoots a free throw during wheelchair basketball practice Sept. 8, 2014, at the Mayesbrook Field Sport House in London. Davis is a member of the U.S. wheelchair basketball team for the inaugural 2014 Invictus Games. Davis is a retired Navy aviation electricians mate.

Wheelchair basketball players battle over the ball during a game.

Smiling disabled rugby player flexing muscle and sitting with ball at sports court

Team Army wheelchair basketball team discuss a game plan 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.

Team SOCOM competes in the wheelchair rugby bronze medal match against Team Army at the DoD Warrior Games on Aug. 23, 2022 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Team USSOCOM is comprised of thirty-three elite-level athletes from the various service components who will compete for medals in eleven different adaptive sports, from archery to wheelchair rugby at the 2022 Warrior Games from Aug. 19-28, 2022 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Eric L. Alabiso II)

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Michael Villagran reaches for the ball at tip-off of the wheelchair rugby match against Team Canada 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.

U.S. Army Spc. Gerald Blakley looks for a teammate to pass to against Team Air Force in the gold medal wheelchair basketball game during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 25, 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.

A girl in a wheelchair watches the Sterling Heights Challengers, a team of disabled high school students, play wheelchair basketball against non-disabled faculty and staff at De La Salle Collegiate, a Catholic high school, the Challengers play in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, Warren, Michigan, USA, North America

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2022) Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jason Smith, Team Army, shoots a free throw during the wheelchair basketball game at the DoD Warrior Games. 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 the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Madrid, 12/03/2014. Pedro Sanchez visits a laundry serviced by disabled people and plays a game of wheelchair basketball. Photo: Isabel Permuy ARCHDC.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2022) Team Army and Team Air Force compete in the wheelchair basketball gold medal match during the 2022 Warrior Games, Aug. 25, 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 the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex2022 DoD Warrior Games Wheelchair Basketball Gold Medal Game in Orlando, Florida.

Smiling disabled rugby player sitting with ball at sports court

Army Adaptive Sports Camp coach, training soldiers 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.

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joel Rodriguez, left, and Staff Sgt. Shawn Runnells , Team U.S., trains for wheelchair rugby practice, during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on April 8, 2022. Team U.S. is part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in this multi-sport event featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.

Recovering service members with Wounded Warrior Regiment play a game of wheelchair basketball during a training camp in San Antonio, Texas, June 10, 2022. Marines attended the camp to hone their skills in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and sitting volleyball to prepare for the 2022 DoD Warrior Games. The DoD Warrior Games is a multi-sport event for wounded, ill, and injured service members.

Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Garrett Kuwada, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, claps hands before a wheelchair basketball match at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 25, 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.

Happy disabled rugby player flexing muscles at sports court

Men in wheelchairs playing pararugby

Retired U.S. Staff Sgt. Shawn Runnells , Team U.S., trains for wheelchair basketball practice, during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on April 11, 2022. Team U.S. is part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in this multi-sport event featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.

U.S. Army SPC. Gabrielle Cales, left, SSG. Garth Current, practicing Wheelchair Rugby 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.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2022) Team Air Force and Team Marine Corps compete in wheelchair rugby at the 2022 DoD Warrior Games in Orlando, Florida. The Warrior Games are composed of over 200 wounded, ill and injured service member and veteran athletes, competing in 12 adaptive sporting events Aug. 19-28, 2022 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2022) Team Army and Team Air Force compete in the wheelchair basketball gold medal match during the 2022 Warrior Games, Aug. 25, 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 the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex2022 DoD Warrior Games Wheelchair Basketball Gold Medal Game in Orlando, Florida.

People with disability doing warm up at sports center

Team U.S. huddles before the start of the wheelchair rugby gold-medal match against Team United Kingdom during the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 20, 2022.

CORONADO, Calif. (March 18, 2019) Active duty Sailors and veterans congratulate each other after a tennis match during the 2019 Navy tennis trials at Naval Air Station North Island, California, March 18, 2019. Navy Wounded Warrior-Safe Harbor and NAS North Island are hosting the Navy Trials, in which athletes will qualify in eleven adaptive sports: rowing, cycling, wheelchair basketball, golf, swimming, wheelchair rugby, powerlifting, shooting, archery, track and field.

Coach guiding and explaining team members at sports center

U.S. Army veteran Brian Conwell gives a speech to Team Army 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 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.

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Shawn Runnells participates in wheelchair rugby scrimmages during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Va.

Disabled athletes sitting in wheelchair at court

Disabled men playing basketball

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Brent Garlic, Team U.S., throws a basketball at the wheelchair basketball practice, during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on April 11, 2022. Team U.S. is part of more than 500 participants from 20 countries who will take part in this multi-sport event featuring ten adaptive sports, including archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, swimming, track, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and a driving challenge.

U.S. Army SPC. Togia, Melesete, left, 1LT. Jefferey, Jones middle, and Retired SFC. Gregory, Quarles, help during the U.S. Army adaptive Sports Camp at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 29th. Nearly 60-70 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers are at Fort Bragg March 28th -April 6 to train in a series of athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, basketball. The Army holds qualifying trials for Active Duty, wounded, ill or Warrior Games Challenge. This year, the DoD Warrior Games Challenge. This year, the DoD Warior Games Challenge takes place in June 2023 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Denise Medina with Wounded Warrior Regiment participated in wheelchair basketball practice, during 2022 Warrior Care Week on Nov. 15, 2022 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. During 2022 Warrior Care Week the Warrior Care Program hosts a variety of activities at Andrews Air Force Base and Westin National Harbor for wounded, ill, and injured service members.

Happy disabled rugby player sitting with sports ball in wheelchair

Retired U.S. Army Spc. Michael Villagran greets a member of Team Canada's wheelchair rugby team after a match during 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.

Coach guiding players sitting in wheelchair at sports center

U.S. Army Soldiers, practicing Wheelchair Rugby 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.

Team U.S. had their first Wheelchair Rugby practice of the week during the Invictus Games Team U.S. Training Camp at Fort Belvoir, Va.

U.S. Air Force Chief MSgt. Fabrienne Burnett, Superintendent, Airman and Family, Air Force Personnel Center (Right), cheers during a distinguished visitor wheelchair basketball game against athletes from Team Canada and Team Navy at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 25th, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. Each year, athletes representing the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, SpecialOperations Command, and five international teams compete in the DoD Warrior Games.

Basketball player in a wheelchair

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jason Smith practices wheelchair basketball during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games 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.

Retired U.S. Navy Utilitiesman Second Class Joshua Laban, shares a moment with an athlete from France during a wheelchair rugby competition for the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 19, 2022. The Invictus Games are composed of nearly 20 nations, over 500 military competitors, competing in 10 sporting events April 16-22, 2022.

Anefo photo collection. Manifestation for the disabled in ApolloHal; Basketball game in wheelchairs. December 11, 1974

Madrid, 12/03/2014. Pedro Sanchez visits a laundry serviced by disabled people and plays a game of wheelchair basketball. Photo: Isabel Permuy ARCHDC.

Happy mature disabled rugby player flexing muscle in wheelchair at sports court

110517-N-CD297-007COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 17, 2011) Team Navy/Coast Guard member Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Angelo Anderson participates in the 200-meter wheelchair event during the second annual Warrior Games. The Warrior Games is a Paralympic-style sport event among 200 seriously wounded, ill, and injured service members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2022) Retired Staff Sgt. Matthew Hoalcraft, Team Army, competes in wheelchair rugby at the 2022 DoD Warrior Games in Orlando, Florida. The Warrior Games are composed of over 200 wounded, ill and injured service member and veteran athletes, competing in 12 adaptive sporting events Aug. 19-28, 2022 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

Recovering service members with Wounded Warrior Regiment play a game of wheelchair rugby during a training camp in San Antonio, Texas, June 9, 2022. Marines attended the camp to hone their skills in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and sitting volleyball to prepare for the 2022 DoD Warrior Games. The DoD Warrior Games is a multi-sport event for wounded, ill, and injured service members.

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 1, 2013) Retired Marine Josue Barron (#35), a member of the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) Wolfpack wheelchair basketball team, keeps the ball away from the Fort Sam Warriors. Wolfpack is made up of 13 military and civilian members and is one of 10 teams in the West Coast Conference of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. The Wolfpacks beat the Warriors 54-35 and currently hold a 16-3 record.

Team U.S. athletes huddle up before a wheelchair rugby competition for the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 19, 2022. The Invictus Games are composed of nearly 20 nations, over 500 military competitors, competing in 10 sporting events April 16-22, 2022.

Team planning strategy at rugby sport center

U.S. Army Pfc. Corine Hamilton receives some mentoring while training for racing wheelchair events during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 19, 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.

Team Army coach/mentor Brandi Evans, left, assists U.S. Army Pfc. Corine Hamilton train for track events during the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 19, 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.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) Joshua Smith, a Team Air Force Warrior Games athlete, defends the goal during a wheelchair rugby game at the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, August 21st, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. The DoD Warrior Games program aims to inspire recovery through adaptive physical fitness and to encourage new opportunities for growth and achievement for wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans.

CHICAGO (July 7, 2017) Team Navy celebrates after winning the 2017 Warrior Games' sitting volleyball medal rounds at the United Center. Team Navy is comprised of athletes from Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor, the Navy's sole organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Coast Guard members, providing resources and support to their families.

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Montes throws the ball to his teammate while competing in a game of wheelchair rugby 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.

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody were in attendance to watch the Air Force take on U.S. Special Operations Command in a game of wheelchair basketball Sept. 30, 2014, during Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. Air Force won the game 29-12.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Peter Lykins, Ret., a native of Henderson, Nevada, with the Wounded Warrior Regiment participates in a training camp in San Antonio, Texas, June 7, 2022. Marines attended the camp to hone their skills in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and sitting volleyball to prepare for the 2022 DoD Warrior Games. The DoD Warrior Games is a multi-sport event for wounded, ill, and injured service members.

Coach instructing rugby player at sports center

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Brian "Big Country" Conwell takes a shot during wheelchair basketball 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 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.

Master Sgt. Kenneth Guinn competes in the wheelchair rugby match against Team United Kingdom during the Invictus Games The Hague, Netherlands, April 19, 2022.

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