SAN ANTONIO \u2013 The 2026 Warrior Games kicked off in San Antonio this week, bringing nearly 200 veterans from across the country to compete in adaptive sports and build community through recovery.<\/p>\n
Events began at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center, marking the games\u2019 long-awaited arrival in Military City. San Antonio was scheduled to host the Warrior Games in 2020, but the event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
The Warrior Games started 15 years ago as a way to support service members wounded in combat. The event has since expanded to include veterans and service members recovering from severe injuries, illnesses, and behavioral health challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing a lot of cancers, multiple sclerosis, things like that,\u201d said Chris Cox, deputy program manager for the Warrior Games, \u201cas well as we see the behavioral health issues, your TBIs, your PTSDs. It\u2019s just as important for those guys to get that teamwork back into it as the combat wounded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the next week, a dozen sporting events will take place across San Antonio. Competitions include powerlifting, wheelchair basketball and pickleball, one of the newer additions to the games.<\/p>\n
For Navy veteran Matthew Leon, adaptive sports have played a major role in his recovery. <\/p>\n
\u201cAdaptive sports has just been a lifesaver for me mentally and then physically,\u201d Leon said.<\/p>\n
Leon retired this year after 20 years of service and multiple spinal injuries. Doctors told him his movement would never be the same, but with support from his team and through pickleball, he has been able to compete in the Warrior Games twice. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have to hide anything from each other,\u201d Leon said. \u201cWe\u2019re all here getting better. We\u2019re here recovering. So we just, we talk to each other, just like we\u2019re brothers, sisters, and just have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Navy veteran Edmarie Medina said she encourages other veterans, including those transitioning out of service, to take part in events like the Warrior Games. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid because we\u2019re all the same,\u201d Medina said. \u201cWe\u2019re all equal. Even though we\u2019re injuries, we actually can be out here.\u201d<\/p>\n