Willem Heinis is participating in the Transplant Games for the sixth time this year. The Hilversummer traveled to Perth, Australia, with his team last week. This morning, four o’clock Dutch time, he made another attempt at discus throw. He hoped for a podium place and he succeeded. Willem threw 29.16 meters, his personal best.
The Transplant Games is organized for people who have ever had a transplant. 24 years ago Willem got a new heart. At the time, the doctors gave him another ten years, but the Hilversummer is still very much alive. He came into contact with the Transplant Games through a friend he met during his rehabilitation. He has been training at least three times a week ever since and this year he took gold. In doing so, he leaves his feared American competitor behind: he finished third.