Adaptive athletes travel from all around the globe to CrossFit Rubicon in Vienna, Virginia, to participate in the Working Wounded Games, a competition that levels the playing field for severely wounded veterans and permanently injured civilians.
David “Chef” Wallach, founder of CrossFit Rubicon, says the event provides a competitive outlet for athletes who may otherwise not have the opportunity to compete.
“It’s the richest, most dedicated group of people from any walk of life I’ve ever met,” Wallach says.
Competitor Brendan Ferreira was injured in Afghanistan when an Afghan border-control worker wearing an explosive vest ran toward him and a few others.
“I lost two of my brothers that day,” he says, “I lost my arm, vision in my right eye, took a lot of damage to both my legs. But I’m here still.”
The energy at the event is electric, and the participants are beyond passionate.
“Have you ever met an adaptive athlete?” Wallach queries. “Are you gonna tell these guys that something is impossible? Because the moment you do that they’re gonna prove you wrong, and it happens every single time we have the opportunity to get together.”
Video by Mike Koslap.
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