South Africans at the World Transplant Games made us so proud; these are all the winners who are coming home with medals.
Newcastle, United Kingdom – The World Transplant Games were established in 1978, and the Federation celebrates successful transplantation and the gift of life through unique and inspiring events – namely the Summer and Winter World Transplant Games.
At the event, Transplantees from more than 60 countries participate in various field and track events. Similar to the Olympics, other activities such as golf, swimming, cycling, and tennis are also included.
“The World Transplant Games give recipients the motivation to strive towards full rehabilitation through exercise, camaraderie and healthy living. They also provide them with a way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who made it all possible – the donors, their families, health professionals, researchers and carers… Without them, there would be nobody on the starting line.”
60 South Africans set off for the games and one of them, Johannes Roos, made history as the oldest person to take part in the games. We featured Johannes’ story earlier this year when he was raising money to attend the transplant games. He has gone on to win several gold medals for South Africa.
Team SA collectively won 67 medals, and came in at 5th place after the UK, USA, Iran and Canada!
Athletics – Track and Field
Discus – Helletjie Uys (f), age: 60 – 69 – 2nd Place
Racewalk 3000m – Elizabeth van Niekerk (f), age: 30 – 39 – 2nd Place.
Constance Sithebe (f), age: 40 – 49 – 2nd Place.
Sussana Burri (f), age: 50 – 59 – 1st Place.
Track 100m – Kristen Henry (f), age: 15 – 17 – 2nd Place
Emmerentia le Roux (f), age: 50 – 59 – 2nd Place
Lebogang Phoshoane (m), age: 18 – 29 – 2nd Place
Stanley Henkemen (m), age: 60 – 69 – 2nd Place
Track 400m – Andre Murphey (m), age: 60 – 69 – 3rd Place
Ball Throw – Jacobus Boshoff (m), age 15 – 17 – 1st Place
Stanley Henkemen (m), age: 60 – 69 – 1st place
Johannes Roos (m), age: 80+ – 1st Place.
Long Jump – Mark Nortje (m), age: 40 – 49 – 1st Place
Shot Putt – Brian Lombard (m), age: 70 – 79 – 3rd place,
Johannes Roos (m), age: 80+ – 1st Place
Badmington
Men’s Singles, age: 40 – 49 – Johannes Kleingeld – Winner
Cycling
- Henk Goris (m), age: 18 – 29 – 2nd Place
- Henk Goris (m), age: 18 – 29 – 2nd Place (Road Race)
Darts
- Robyn Emslie (f), age: 40 – 49 – 2nd Place
- Renier Botha (m), age 40 – 49 – 2nd Place
- SA Mix Team, age: 18+ – 2nd Place
Petanque
- Johannes Roos (m), age: 80+ – 1st Place
- Mpumelezo Damane and Dean Arnolds, Men’s doubles under 30 – Bronze (4th Place)
- Louis van der Westhuizen and Brain Lombard, Men’s doubles 50+ – 2nd Place
- Robyn Emslie and Marilee Chananie, Women’s doubles 30 – 49 – Bronze (4th Place)
Road Race
- Sussana Burri (f), age: 50 – 59 – 1st Place
Ten Pin Bowling
- Patsy Sim (f), age: 70 – 79 – 1st Place
Swimming
- Kristen Henry (f), age: 15 – 17 – 3rd Place (50m Butterfly)
- Kristen Henry (f), age: 15 – 17 – 3rd Place (50m Freestyle)
- Kristen Henry (f), age: 15 – 17 – 3rd Place (50m Breaststroke)
- Jeandre Geldenhuys (m), age: 30 – 39 – 1st Place (50m Backstroke)
- Jeandre Geldenhuys (m), age: 30 – 39 – 3rd Place (100m Freestyle)
- Jeandre Geldenhuys (m), age: 30 – 39 – 2nd Place (50m Freestyle)
- Jeandre Geldenhuys (m), age: 30 – 39 – 3rd Place (50m Breaststroke)
Even living donors have the opportunity to take part in the games. The Track 100m race is one of the living donor events.
We are so proud of our South African representatives at the games; they did a great job.
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