April 30, 2012
CORPS CONNECTIONS
By chelseaflowers
Heart of a Warrior
For the past three years, wounded, injured and ill service members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Special Operations and Marine Corps have gathered to compete in adaptive sports at Colorado Springs, Colo. Through perseverance and natural ability, these athletes prove that nothing in life can hold them back. This year, 50 wounded Marines- 35 Marines and 17 veteran Marines- who proved themselves at the 2012 Marine Corps Trials in February at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., will participate in a total of seven athletic competitions against the other services. For 18 of the athletes, this is their second or third Warrior Games.
The Warrior Games also determines an Ultimate Champion. Ultimate Champion contenders must compete in cycling, shot put, shooting, swimming and track. The Ultimate Champion is the competitor who earns the most points in their disability category for each of these events. Capt. Jonathan Disbro, below-knee amputee, is last year’s reigning Ultimate Champion who will be fighting to maintain his title this year. Each athlete has a unique story, but all have one thing in common — heart. Join us as we follow these incredible warriors while they strive to repeat history and earn the Chairman’s Cup for a third straight year.
Good luck, Marines!
