Another medal for James in Durban

A gold to go with earlier silverJames Nolan has won a gold medal in the World Transplant Games in Durban, South Africa, writes Gwen O'Donoghue, adding to the silver he won earlier in the contests. And he dedicated his accolades to his late father who passed away just over two months ago.

James spoke of his delight in winning gold yesterday in the golf singles event just two days after securing a silver medal in the golf team event with fellow Transplant Team Ireland athlete Brian Carney from Killester, Dublin.

“I’m absolutely delighted. I kept my head in the game and I’m happy that I achieved this for my family, including my kidney donor sister Catherine, my wife Emma and new-born son Andrew James, my mother Ann, and my late father Andy who encouraged me to play golf. It’s been a tough year for the family with the loss of my father who suffered a long illness. I feel he was watching over me today and on Tuesday when I won silver. He was passionate about golf throughout his life and played at the Curragh. He helped me the whole way around the course today. I spoke to my mother, Ann, over the phone just after my win today and she was overcome with emotion.”

James has been a member of Transplant Team Ireland, which is managed by the Irish Kidney Association, since 2002 and has attended every European and World Transplant Games since 2008. Before returning home to Ireland with the team on Monday  he has two more events, the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relay races.

Over 1,000 athletes from 50 countries are participating in the 19th World Transplant Games which include a broad range of events including Track & Field, road races, cycling, swimming, golf, tennis, table-tennis, badminton, squash, lawn bowls, petanque and tenpin bowling.