A man has triumphed at the European Transplant Sports Championships (ETSC) and the British Transplant Games this summer.

Ikhlaq Ahmed, a Buckinghamshire health records stores assistant, represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Lisbon, Portugal, and Nottingham, respectively.

At the ETSC, he secured a gold medal in pétanque and a silver medal in darts, and gold in the 5k race walk at the British Transplant Games.

READ MORE: Amersham student cycles length of Norway for charity

The games aim to raise awareness of organ donation, encourage transplant recipients to lead active lifestyles, and provide a platform for shared experiences.

Mr Ahmed has now been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Dresden.

Mr Ahmed's journey to these achievements started with a childhood diagnosis of a chronic kidney disease caused by bladder reflux.

His condition gradually worsened, leading to kidney failure and needing dialysis three times a week.

In December 2013, he received a new kidney, which came with mixed emotions.

While he was relieved to end his two-and-a-half-year ordeal with dialysis, he was also aware that his new lease on life was due to the loss of a loved one by another family who chose to donate their organs.

After his transplant, Mr Ahmed competed in the 2014 British Transplant Games, the 2016 European Transplant Games, and the 2019 World Transplant Games, winning gold and bronze medals across bowling, darts, and pétanque.

Mr Ahmed said: "The games are a place where I can open up and talk to people about how I’m feeling and how I’m getting on as there is shared lived experience between us.

"It’s not about who comes first or who is the best, but the main aim is spreading awareness of organ donation as unfortunately, transplant is not a cure and everyone who has had a transplant may need another one in the future.

"Taking part at the games is amazing as 10 years ago I would be struggling to walk up the road let alone take part in national and international sporting events."

Tom Roche, trust non-executive director and chair of the organ and tissue donation committee, congratulated Mr Ahmed on his achievements.

He said: "Competing at these championships is such an achievement and on behalf of the trust I want to congratulate Ikhlaq on his medals and wish him the best of luck for the World Transplant Games in Dresden next summer.

"It’s also really important to ensure you register your donation decision, two minutes now could save up to nine lives, be sure to leave your loved ones certain."

The trust where Mr Ahmed works provides services to more than half a million patients every year in hospitals, community settings, and people's homes.