Henk triumphs at World Transplant Games
Glenashley resident, Henk Goris, won bronze at the transplant games in Malaga, Spain.
GLENASHLEY’S Henk Goris’ tale of triumph is a remarkable one. Just two years after receiving a kidney transplant, the 26-year-old got to live one of his dreams, representing his country on the world stage. He recently made his debut World Transplant Games in Malaga, Spain where he competed in two events: in the road cycling category, the five kilometre time trial and 30 kilometre road race.
While things didn’t go according to plan for the five kilometre time trial, they did for the longer version of the race where he claimed a bronze medal.
“In the five kilometre time trial a marshal was missing at one point and I took a wrong turn which ended up costing me. It wasn’t the best start to the games but I feel it ended working in my favour. It got me in the right frame of mind and the next day in the 30 kilometre road race, I had nothing to lose. It was an extremely tough race, the temperature was around 40 degrees, but I said to myself as we began the race, I needed to stick with the leading peloton.
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“As the bunch got smaller and smaller, I stayed with the top five, I knew I had to be in the right position on the last corner and with a 100 metres to go I pushed for it. Crossing that finish line was incredible, it’s indescribable. I can safely say it was one of the best days of my life, it far exceeded my expectations. To think that two years ago I was praying for general health and now I’m a bronze medalist is just surreal. I feel this competition will help me gain experience for the next world games in Newcastle. The level of competition in the sport is extremely high so I know what I have to do to improve where I can,” he said.
Goris who was the only South African male cyclist in the 30 kilometre race said the support from the local crowds were amazing.
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