The "Ultimate Champion" representing the Marine Corps made his swimming debut on Friday.
That means the Marines selected him to compete in every single event at the Warrior Games, including swimming.
He was injured last year after his battle tank blew up but he’s here to tell his story after undergoing at least 14 surgeries with several more to go.
"It’s really hard because you’re used to being like up here as a top Marine and now you’re down here injured, thought you couldn’t do anything like that but I’m an Ultimate Champion so never give up, we can do it," Mathew Maddux, the Marine Corps Ultimate Champion said.
It’s Day 8 of the #WarriorGames and I’m watching swimming! These athletes are beyond incredible. I’ll share a few of their stories with you tonight at 5&6 on @KOAA pic.twitter.com/uw8Xd43JT5
— Lena Howland (@LenaHowland) June 8, 2018
Those sentiments also shared by quadriplegic retired Army Captain James Howard. He finished last in his relay on Friday but had the entire crowd standing and cheering him on all the way to the finish.
Volleyball will go until about 8 p.m. on Friday and there is still one more day of events left at the Warrior Games on Saturday.
