Marine Staff Sgt. Ronnie Jimenez won the 10K hand-cycle race, earning him the very first gold medal of the 2013 Warrior Games.
Jimenez is a 14-year Marine veteran now serving in a Wounded Warrior Regiment at Twentynine Palms in Southern California.
According to Army News Service, Jimenez suffered an injury to his spinal cord during a training accident. He has also been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti.
Jimenez told Headquarters Marine Corps public affairs what the win means to him:
"It feels great to start the Warrior Games on the right foot winning for the Marines. After winning the Chairman's Cup the past three times, we are ready to win it again."
The 2013 Warrior Games began on Saturday, and run until May 16 at the United States Olympic Center, and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Prince Harry, also known as British Army Capt. Harry Wales, helped kick off the games and participated in a seated-volleyball scrimmage. (Video courtesy of The Pentagon Channel.)
