TRANSPLANT recipient Tony Gartland took home gold and bronze from this year’s European Transplant and Dialysis Games, which were held in Dublin recently.
The 47-year-old Hacketstown athlete scooped gold in the 5k walk, as well as bronze medals in the 5k road race, 1,500 metres and 800 metres events.
“I very happy with the way I performed,” said Tony.
“It was a great games for all the athletes who took part,” he added.
Tony, who had a liver transplant 17 years ago, has been competing in the Transplant Games since 1995.“I had a liver transplant 17 years ago and thankfully I’ve never been sick a day since, except for the odd cold,” said Tony.
So how does a successful transplant athlete such as Tony prepare for such a highly competitive event?
“Well, I train five nights a week, except for a week at Christmas.”
Tony is also a member of Slí Cualann AC in Wicklow and competes regularly in mainstream races at local level.
With his recent success under his belt, the self-employed carpenter is already back at work and is considering his options for next year’s World Transplant Games, which will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The 47-year-old Hacketstown athlete scooped gold in the 5k walk, as well as bronze medals in the 5k road race, 1,500 metres and 800 metres events.
“I very happy with the way I performed,” said Tony.
“It was a great games for all the athletes who took part,” he added.
Tony, who had a liver transplant 17 years ago, has been competing in the Transplant Games since 1995.“I had a liver transplant 17 years ago and thankfully I’ve never been sick a day since, except for the odd cold,” said Tony.
So how does a successful transplant athlete such as Tony prepare for such a highly competitive event?
“Well, I train five nights a week, except for a week at Christmas.”
Tony is also a member of Slí Cualann AC in Wicklow and competes regularly in mainstream races at local level.
With his recent success under his belt, the self-employed carpenter is already back at work and is considering his options for next year’s World Transplant Games, which will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden.