TWO athletes have been chosen for the provisional South African squad for the World Transplant Games to be held in Málaga, Spain next year. Lesley Hurlbatt (59) of Somerset Park, and Henk Goris (25) of Glenashley were selected after their performances at the SA Transplant Sports Association (SATSA) nationals in Johannesburg.
Northglen News recently caught up with the duo to find out about their hopes going forward. Henk Goris, a former Virginia Preparatory School pupil and kidney recipient was competing in his first national games. Not only did he win the 20 kilometre cycle race, he also broke the South African record.
Goris who only received his kidney in 2015 had set himself the goal of qualifying for the games.
“It was amazing and such a huge moment for me personally. When I was on dialysis I had set myself the goal of competing at the nationals. It was also amazing celebrating life with my fellow transplant recipients. I’m so thankful for my second chance in life and I feel like I’m honouring them when I compete. The spirit and the camaraderie among the athletes was fantastic, knowing that we’ve all walked similar journeys is a special feeling. I lost both my kidneys on the week of my 22nd birthday and I knew I had to stay positive and work towards a goal. That was competing at the nationals and making the SA squad. I can’t wait for my international debut in Spain to represent my country,” he said.
Hurlbatt, a heart recipient, competes in the sport of Pétanque, and is a former bronze medalist at the world games in Argentina.
“For me just competing at the games is special. If I’m chosen for the final squad, it will be my third appearance at the world games. I feel we are all winners when it comes to the games, of course I’d love to win another bronze or even better. I’m going to be training hard and remain positive and upbeat,” she said.
Born with a congenital heart defect, Hurlbatt had a transplant in 2004.
“At the height of my health issues, doctors said I would only live till I was 30. I’m now 59, and thanks to a heart transplant in 2004, my quality of life has greatly improved. I feel like I need to celebrate at 60, because it will be double the age limit I was supposed to live to,” she laughed.
The duo agreed the most important thing for them was to raise organ donor awareness. They also hope their story will inspire others to join the transplant list.
