A remarkable young athlete brought home a haul of medals at the British Transplant Games in Bath last month.
Eleven-year-old Jonathan Cowdrey scooped a gold medal, two silver medals and two bronze medals in a variety of events at the games held from August 19 to August 22.
The Basingstoke youngster, who received a liver transplant when he was eight months old, continued on from his previous years of success at the games.
His mother, Sharon Cowdrey, said: “We are all very proud of him. Considering what he has been through.
“He has had a tough time and still faces tough times ahead because of his on-going treatments. He has done amazingly well and he makes everyone very proud of him.”
When Jonathan was born he suffered from a rare condition called Biliary atresia. His condition meant that he was born without a bile duct, which eventually lead to liver failure. After five months old he was put on the organ donor register and he received a new liver three months later.
To this day he has to take a number of different treatments to stay healthy, including immunosupressants for his transplant.
Mrs Cowdrey said: “He always has to take his treatments. However they do not stop him. He enjoys doing his sport and he puts in 110 per cent every time he does something.”
At the games, Jonathan came away with the gold at the badminton singles event. He took two silver medals in the pool in the 25m freestyle and 25m backstroke. He also won two bronze medals in the 25m breast stoke event and the table tennis singles.
Jonathan said about the games: “My favourite medal was the badminton because it was the only event that I won the gold and it was the one that I trained hard enough to be able to win the final for.
“The badminton event was different in that they held a semi-final and a final event which I was quite nervous for.
“When I finally won I felt quite happy and very excited.”
The British Transplant Games is Organised by Transplant Sport UK. Lynne Holt of Transport Sport UK said: “It’s important to remember that none of these transplant athletes would be here without a life-saving transplant operation. Added to this, they have a strength of spirit and determination that should be an inspiration to us all.
“The Transplant Games gives transplant athletes a chance to celebrate their second chance and thank the organ donors and their families. Surely there is no better proof of the power of the gift of life, which is why the Games must continue, reaching more people every year.”
