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Royal Navy participants ‘truly inspired’ by Wounded Warrior event
15 April 2025
Eleven Royal Navy sailors recovering from injury and illness tested their mettle alongside US counterparts at trials for the Wounded Warrior Games.
The Brits were invited to cross the Pond for one of the preparatory events leading up to the biggest adaptive sports fixture in the calendar for US personnel.
The games are an annual contest run by the US Department of Defense for hundreds of military personnel – US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and US Special Operations Command – competing in adaptive sports as part of their recovery journey.
To prepare, the US Navy runs a series of taster events in the months leading up the July games – this year in Colorado Springs – allowing seriously ill, wounded and injured sailors and Coast Guard personnel to sample, train and compete in 11 adaptive sports.
A team of athletes (Lt Ian Toms, CPO Mike Beavis, PO Sam Faulkner, LHs Chris Ryan and Richard Harrington, and ABs Ronnie Evans, Rachel Davis, Alys Wightman, Harrison Dowson, George Rowe and Caitlyn Sewdan) and staff (WO1 Colin Smith, CPO Lee Murray and Cpl Kyle Woods) were invited to take part in the two weeks of trials at Fort Belvoir in Washington DC.
All 11 athletes are on the RN Recovery Pathway and have been facing various personal challenges of their own with a focus on regaining full fitness.
The Brits competed in each of the individual disciplines and supplemented/played alongside US teams in every team event. Sports covered included: swimming, track, field, wheelchair rugby, cycling, power lifting, rowing, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, archery and pistol/rifle shooting.
“We had significant success in various events, including achieving first, second, fourth and fifth place finishes in cycling, two first places and a third in individual archery and a team first – alongside various achievements in track, field and in the pool,” said WO1 Smith.
I’ve learned so much from these fantastic people, and all of us from the UK team have definitely made some lifelong friends.
“The RN team and US athletes quickly developed an obvious camaraderie, sharing a mutual admiration for the exceptional physical and mental resilience and dedication demonstrated by all throughout the trials. It was an honour to be part of such an inspirational event.”
AB Alys Wightman found the trials “a life-changing experience that left me truly inspired.
She continued: “The event opened our eyes to a world of possibilities, proving that our injuries don't limit our potential. It was exhilarating to be part of a community that celebrates determination and grit. The trials showed me that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible – and I'm forever grateful for the experience.”
PO Sam Faulkner added: “We got to try a lot of new sports and even surprised the American coaches and athletes with how quickly we picked them up.
“I'm sure everyone had a positive experience and, fingers crossed, we get invited back for the games in July in Colorado.”
All the Brits praised both the welcome their hosts offered and the experience and expertise they shared.
“I’ve learned so much from these fantastic people, and all of us from the UK team have definitely made some lifelong friends,” said CPO Mike Beavis. “It’s been incredibly empowering to test our limits ¬– regardless of injury or illness – and it’s given me a much-needed boost.”