Fort Bragg's Wounded Warriors compete for spot in national tournament

FORT BRAGG (WTVD) -- Wounded Warriors at Fort Bragg are taking on a new mission. Injured veterans and active duty soldiers are competing in the local Warrior Games trials in hopes of making it to next year's national competition in Colorado.

"I played basketball, football, pretty much everything; I loved sports," MSgt. Jovan Bowser said.

Bowser has always been an athlete, but she feared her ball-playing days were over after she was injured in the line of duty.

"I had a right hip tear, right shoulder tear; I had a right knee fracture," said Bowser.

Searching for hope, Bowser joined then Wounded Warrior Battalion.

"When they get here they're told for months after they're injuries or illnesses what they cannot do, our job is to let them know what they can do," said Wounded Warrior Sports Program Coordinator Robin Womac.

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Soldiers from installations across the country participated in various adaptive sports including sitting volleyball, archery, cycling, swimming, and sitting basketball. But for those who think adaptive sports lack ability, Sgt Rudy Gomez is ready to set the record straight.

"To be able to push that chair on both tires..stop on a dime, spin around, dribble..it takes a lot of athleticism," said Gomez.

Gomez is one of 50 soldiers vying for the top spot at nationals, though he loves his brothers and sisters in arms - it's all about competition on the hardwoods.

"Friendships are stopped right when that whistle blows," said Gomez.

But once the games are over, soldiers form life-long bonds and gain fuel for the new fight ahead.

"As you keep going to the next level, you meet other soldiers from all the other installations," said Gomez. 'So, with that being said you find out their injuries and their stories and it helps you keep driving."