Veteran. Amputee. Martial Arts Grandmaster. Triathlete. Father. Leader. Anthony Smith’s journey from battlefield injury to athletic triumph is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Starting on the Front Line 

Born in Columbus, Mississippi, Anthony Smith began his life of service early. After attending Alcorn State University, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1990. Four years later, he joined the Arkansas National Guard while simultaneously serving his local community as a police officer—eventually rising to the rank of Chief of Police. 

But everything changed on April 2004 when his National Guard unit was deployed to Iraq. 

While on duty, Anthony was struck directly by a rocket-propelled grenade. The missile tore through his hip and stomach before detonating, launching him into a brick wall. His right arm was severed, and additional gunfire riddled his already critically injured body. Presumed dead, he was placed in a body bag—until a nurse noticed small air bubbles escaping from his trachea. 

He survived. But the road ahead would be unimaginable. 

62 Days in a Coma, A Lifetime of Recovery 

Anthony spent 62 days in a coma. When he awoke, he faced the grim reality of life as an amputee with extensive internal injuries and limited mobility. He lost his right arm below the elbow, walked only with the aid of crutches, and weighed over 300 pounds. At the time, he was confined to an automatic wheelchair and battling both physical and emotional trauma. 

But Anthony wasn’t ready to give up. 

“I was 310 pounds, smoked cigarettes, and sat around in my wheelchair,” he recalls. “Now I’m under 260, don’t smoke, don’t drink. While I may not have a typical athlete’s body, my body can perform athletically.” 

Finding Purpose Through Sport 

In 2008, Anthony discovered the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Operation Rebound program—just when he needed it most. His first CAF event? A 5K walk in Canada, marking the furthest distance he had moved on foot since his injury. That milestone sparked a new mission. 

“Nico [CAF’s Operation Rebound Manager] got me off the couch,” Anthony says. “He believed in me, even before I believed in myself.” 

Since then, Anthony has competed in numerous sprint and half-distance triathlons, completed the 620-mile Million Dollar Challenge bike ride twice, and become a prominent face of adaptive sports. 

Grandmaster of Resilience 

Outside of triathlon and cycling, Anthony pursued his lifelong passion for martial arts. Not only did he earn his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do—he went on to become a Grand Master and opened a martial arts studio in his community, serving at-risk youth and veterans alike. 

“Sports saved my life,” Anthony says. “Now I get to pass that gift forward every day through my students.” 

He received CAF grants to support training and competition expenses and purchased a new road bike, allowing him to continue evolving as an athlete and mentor. 

A Team-First Mentality at IRONMAN 70.3 

Despite missing a hip and living with chronic pain, Anthony returned to IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside in a powerful way. After competing in the swim and bike legs in past years, Anthony decided to take on his toughest challenge yet: the run. 

Why? To support his teammate Raul Romero, a fellow veteran and recent amputee who could only complete the cycling portion. 

“Running is especially difficult with my injuries,” Anthony admits. “But when Nico approached me about doing the run so Raul could still compete—I didn’t hesitate. I had to train hard to reactivate those muscles, but I knew I’d do it for the team.” 

Anthony ran the race on April 7, the shared birthday of his two daughters—giving him even more reason to push through pain. 

More Than an Athlete 

Behind Anthony’s relentless drive is a deep sense of responsibility. 

“People think I’m like Superman,” he shares. “But I wake up in pain every day. I know others are watching me, counting on me to show up. If I don’t get moving, they won’t either. That keeps me going.” 

CAF events helped Anthony realize he wasn’t alone. “When I first got injured, I didn’t know how many people had physical disabilities. But now I see kids I met years ago at CAF who are Paralympians. We all inspire each other.” 

Operation Rebound: Fueling Comebacks 

CAF’s Operation Rebound program has played a pivotal role in Anthony’s comeback—supporting his journey with grants for adaptive sports equipment, travel, training, and race entries. 

“CAF Operation Rebound has truly changed my life,” Anthony says. “They gave me a reason to get out of my chair. They gave me a community.” 

Help Veterans Like Anthony Keep Moving Forward 

Anthony Smith is not just racing for himself—he’s racing for every veteran who needs a second chance, every athlete looking to reclaim their strength, and every community member who needs to believe in what’s possible.