NEW DELHI: Three athletes from Delhi-NCR turned their gritty stories of survival into sporting triumphs as India scripted its best-ever performance at World Transplant Games in Germany’s Dresden last month. The 57-member contingent of 49 organ recipients and eight living donors bagged a record 63 medals – 16 gold, 22 silver and 25 bronze – in 17 disciplines, finishing 13th among 51 nations.
Vivek Chaudhary (26) of Faridabad, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2021, claimed silver in shot put and bronze in badminton. Delhi’s Rahul Prajapati (30), who had a life-saving heart transplant at AIIMS in 2018, clinched a bronze in petanque. Ghaziabad’s Parag Kamal Sharma (50), who received a kidney from his mother in 2019, won bronze in petanque doubles. I never thought I would play again after my transplant. This was my first time at the Games, and winning the medals feels unreal,” Vivek Chaudhary said.Ghaziabad’s Parag Kamal Sharma, who works at the Institute of Economic Growth in Delhi, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2011. A sports enthusiast in his youth, he rediscovered his passion through the Games, first competing in Perth in 2023. Among India’s standout performers was Dr Jaskaran Singh (39) from Mohali, who donated a kidney to his wife, and went on to win four gold – in 100m race, long jump, darts and ball throw – and a silver in petanque. He was named ‘Outstanding Donor Athlete’ of the Games. “There has been no change in my life after I donated a kidney. People should not fear that life becomes dull after organ donation,” he said.Ramdev Singh (37) from Rajasthan’s Shri Dungargarh, who received a kidney transplant from his mother in 2012, won one gold, a silver and two bronze. “I was worried for my mother. But she told me, ‘Losing a son is worse than parting with a kidney.’ She is very happy today as I stand here with the medals. My life has been more active and fruitful after transplant, and people now recognise me,” he said.There were more such heartwarming stories from across the country. The Anand family from Bengaluru made history with 13 medals. Fifteen-year-old Varun won four, his mother Deepa three, his father Anand two, and younger brother Vaibhav, four – turning it into a rare donor-recipient family triumph. From Mumbai, 13-year-old Ishaan Anekar, who overcame Alport syndrome and underwent a kidney transplant in 2021, inspired audiences worldwide by winning two gold and one silver in swimming.India’s campaign was also marked by firsts. Debut teams in archery, football, volleyball and basketball competed with distinction, with archery delivering two medals. India’s athletes came from 17 states and UTs, including Rajasthan, Kerala, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi-NCR, turning personal battles into a collective story of resilience and national pride. Back home, the felicitation ceremony brought together supporters, policymakers, and families. Dr Mallika Nadda, president of Special Olympics Bharat, praised the athletes’ spirit and urged for institutional recognition. “We are here to support if any help is required. With the sports ministry, we can request that transplant sport be included under a federation, just as we did for Special Olympics, deaf and blind sports earlier. Though this is a new field, we will try to connect it to the ministry and push for recognition,” she said.Anika Parashar, chairperson, Parashar Foundation and Founder, ORGAN India, called the Games “a global celebration of life, resilience, and the power of organ donation. They prove life after transplant knows no limits.” Sunayana Singh, CEO, ORGAN India and India’s Member Representative at the Games Federation, added: “We brought a highly trained, competitive team, and the results speak volumes. From archery, volleyball, football debuts to young swimmers’ wins, every athlete’s performance was remarkable.” India’s record medal tally – it improved on its haul of 35 medals at the last Games in Perth – not only cemented its growing presence in transplant sports but also sent a powerful message: life after organ donation and transplant can be full of vitality, purpose and achievement.
