{"id":22644,"date":"2026-06-17T18:32:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T18:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=22644"},"modified":"2026-06-17T18:32:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T18:32:00","slug":"team-army-flexes-muscle-at-2026-warrior-games-with-eight-medal-powerlifting-surge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=22644","title":{"rendered":"Team Army Flexes Muscle at 2026 Warrior Games with Eight-Medal Powerlifting Surge"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Army<\/a>
Army 1st Lt. Jani Merritt, left, and Army Capt. Tony Smith celebrate after winning medals during the powerlifting competition at the 2026 Warrior Games at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center in San Antonio, June 13, 2026. The Warrior Games continue through June 20, bringing together nearly 200 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force and U.S. Special Operations Command to compete across multiple adaptive sports. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Deonte Rowell, Army Recovery Care Program via US DOW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Texas Border Business<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Vernishia Vaughn, Army Recovery Care Program<\/a>\u00a0| US DOW<\/p>\n

Team Army opened the first day of competition at the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio with wins in powerlifting, earning eight medals while demonstrating that the greatest victories often extend far beyond the podium.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The powerlifting medalists included: 1st Lt. Jani Merritt, gold; Staff Sgt. Chelsea Scott, gold; Staff Sgt. Nate Mateo, gold; Sgt. Tukiau Salanoa-Tuioti, gold; Capt. Channda Mitchell, gold; Capt. Jake Malven, silver; retired Sgt. 1st Class Valerie Watkins, bronze and retired Capt. Tony Smith, bronze.<\/p>\n

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Retired Army Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Mateo celebrates winning a gold medal in powerlifting during the 2026 Warrior Games at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center in San Antonio, June 13, 2026. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Deonte Rowell, Army Recovery Care Program vis USDOW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While the medals reflected exceptional performances on the platform, the stories behind them highlighted the perseverance, support and sense of community that define the Warrior Games experience as well as the Army Recovery Care Program\u2019s commitment to helping wounded, ill and injured soldiers recover and thrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mateo, a second-time Warrior Games competitor, said he shares his gold medal with family, who traveled nearly 24 hours from Saipan to cheer him on in San Antonio. He said seeing his family and friends in the stands served as a powerful reminder that recovery is rarely a journey taken alone. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Army Capt. Jake Malven, left, Army Col. Chris Leung and Marine Corps Master Sgt. Modesto Garcia celebrate winning silver, gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the powerlifting competition during the 2026 Warrior Games at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center in San Antonio, June 13, 2026 Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Deonte Rowell, Army Recovery Care Prog via US DOW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMy wife, Regina, and my family have been with me from the start,\u201d Mateo said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have been where I am today if it wasn\u2019t for her. She\u2019s been keeping me in the right state of mind and reminding me of all we have accomplished together through this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Returning to the Warrior Games with another year of training and experience behind him, Mateo said the lessons from coaches and teammates have prepared him mentally and physically while inspiring him to pay that support forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything I learned and experienced last year followed me into this year,\u201d he said. \u201cThis year, my goal is to return that favor by encouraging, mentoring and supporting everyone on Team Army.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Retired Air Force Maj. Lillian Warner, left, Army Capt. Channda Mitchell and Army Sgt. Ann Knox celebrate winning silver, gold and bronze medals, respectively, after the powerlifting competition during the 2026 Warrior Games at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center in San Antonio, June 13, 2026. Photo credit:\u00a0
Army Staff Sgt. Deonte Rowell, Army Recovery Care Program via US DOW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For first-time competitor Scott, a gold medal was meaningful, but the relationships forged throughout recovery proved even more valuable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWinning a gold medal at my first Warrior Games is something I\u2019m incredibly proud of, but what this experience represents goes far beyond the medal itself,\u201d she said. \u201cRecovery can sometimes feel isolating, but being part of this team continuously reminds me that I\u2019m not alone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Scott credits adaptive sports and the Army Recovery Care Program with helping her regain confidence and discover new ways to challenge herself as she navigates recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey showed me that recovery is not just about healing, and it\u2019s certainly not linear,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s about finding new ways to grow, push your limits and continue doing the things you love.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Smith also made his Warrior Games debut June 13, earning a bronze medal after overcoming doubts and trusting the preparation that brought him to the platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Alberto Alvarez participates in the powerlifting event during the 2026 Warrior Games at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center in San Antonio, June 13, 2026 Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Deonte Rowell, Army Recovery Care Program via US DOW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI was excited, but I was also nervous,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter losing a significant amount of weight over the past few months, I was the lightest competitor in my division. There were definitely moments of doubt, but I trusted my training, my coaches and the support system that helped me get there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking beyond the medal itself, Smith said the Warrior Games reinforced lessons that will remain with him long after the competition ends<\/p>\n

\u201cThis journey taught me that recovery is a process, not an event,\u201d he said. \u201cMore than anything, I learned the importance of community. None of us accomplish things alone. While I\u2019m proud of the bronze medal, I\u2019m even more grateful for the lessons this experience has reinforced: trust the process, lean on your support system and never count yourself out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Army Recovery Care Program uses adaptive sports and reconditioning activities to assist wounded, ill and injured soldiers build confidence, resilience and community throughout their recovery journeys. On the opening day of competition, Team Army\u2019s powerlifting performance reflected not only athletic achievement but also the determination to keep moving forward despite injury, illness and adversity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the 2026 Warrior Games continue throughout the week, Team Army competitors will carry that same united spirit into every event, proving that while medals are earned on the field of play, recovery itself is the greatest victory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Army Staff Sgt. Chelsey Scott celebrates after the powerlifting event during the 2026 Warrior Games at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center in San Antonio, June 13, 2026. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Deonte Rowell, Army Recovery Care Program via US DOW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n


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Army 1st Lt. Jani Merritt, left, and Army Capt. Tony Smith celebrate after winning medals during the powerlifting competition at the 2026 Warrior Games at the Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez Convention Center in San Antonio, June 13, 2026. The Warrior Games continue through June 20, bringing together nearly 200 wounded, ill and injured service members and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":911,"featured_media":22645,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[273],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-powerlifting-news"],"yoast_head":"\nTeam Army Flexes Muscle at 2026 Warrior Games with Eight-Medal Powerlifting Surge - World Bodybuilding News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=22644\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Team Army Flexes Muscle at 2026 Warrior Games with Eight-Medal Powerlifting Surge - World Bodybuilding News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Army 1st Lt. 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