Leatherhead man wins medals at British Transplant Games
A SPORTSMAN who has undergone two kidney transplants and will soon need another has won two medals at the British Transplant Games.
Graham Battershill, 32, of Gravel Hill, Leatherhead, won a silver medal in golf and a bronze in badminton.
The Games, which took place in Medway, Kent, have been staged annually since 1978 to encourage patients to regain fitness and demonstrate benefits of the ops.
Mr Battershill, who works at Drift Golf Club in East Horsley, believes his medical problems have probably stopped him playing at a higher level but said the Transplant Games have given him a great opportunity to play competitively.
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He said: "I have had problems with my kidneys since I was 12 years old and my most recent transplant has been in a state of rejection for the past three years.
"I will need another transplant in the near future as it is only functioning at 22 per cent. When it declines to 20 per cent, I will qualify for a new one.
"I enjoy badminton, but golf has been my great love since I first picked up a club at the age of two and, although this is probably as high a level as I will be able to reach now. It is nice to have my ability recognised."
Mr Battershill, who plays off a handicap of nine, is hoping to capitalise on his success by competing against the best golfing transplant patients in the world.
He said: "I hope to find some sponsorship so that I can join the British team at the World Transplant Games in South Africa.
"To take part in an event of this magnitude, with people that have received all different types of transplants, really puts things in perspective and helps you see that there are a lot of people who have to go through what I have."
Speaking about Mr Battershill's achievements, his wife Toni, 30, said: "One of the biggest problems is that he tends to feel weak quite a lot, so I think it is amazing that he is able to compete successfully in a sport where you are on your feet all day.
"There aren't many sports that you have to eat the whole way through to keep yourself up."
The British Transplant Games were held from August 23 to 26.
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