Transplant survivor excels at games
Kyalami resident Anton Roux won a bronze medal in the World Transplant Games 2013 in the age category 50 to 59.
The golfing tournament was held in Durban from 27 July to 4 August.
In 2007 Roux had a kidney transplant in which his wife, Biddy Roux, donated one of her kidneys to him. After the operation he decided to find out if there were any transplant sports associations in South Africa and found the South African Transplant Sports Association (Satsa).
Roux said, “Satsa is now recognised by the Olympic body and is there for all organ transplanted people that can do sport.”
Roux joined the association and realised that he had a talent for golf as well as athletics.
He said, “I felt like I had been given a second life after my organ transplant.”
He travelled to Sweden in 2011 and competed against transplant athletes from 60 different countries and achieved fourth position in golf in the age group 50-59, and eighth position in javelin.
Out of 41 South African athletes that competed the team came home with 41 medals.
At the 19th World Transplant Games held in Durban this year, South Africa received the third most gold medals out of 49 countries.
Roux is currently the chairperson for the Gauteng Transplant Sports Association and invites anyone who has received a transplant to join them, as well as anyone who would like to be a supporter.
He said, “The feeling that you get when you win after a long struggle with illness is so rewarding.”
