A life-saving kidney transplant at the age of 17 marked a new beginning for Gqeberha athlete Dean Arnolds. He has represented South Africa at the World Transplant Games four times.
“When I was 11, my kidney was removed,” he shared with the PE Express. “I spent six long years on the transplant waiting list and then on 29 September 2014, I received a life-changing kidney transplant.”
This moment marked a new beginning for Arnolds, not just physically but in spirit and purpose, he says.
“After my transplant, I began competing in the National Transplant Games in 2015 to prove that your talent should never be left behind, no matter what your circumstances,” he shared.
At the time, Arnolds participated in the 400m track and 5km road running events in Johannesburg, coached by Johann van Greunen during the national leg of the event.
“With his guidance, I qualified in the 400m to represent South Africa in Spain. Although I fell ill during the trip, I never gave up on my sport or my dreams.”
He later returned home determined to grow stronger and faster.
“I qualified again for the National Transplant Games and went on to compete in Newcastle, UK, in the 400m, 400m relay and both single and double Pétanque,” he added.
“I proudly earned two bronze medals — one in the 400m relay and one in double Pétanque — thanks to my coach and the support around me.”
Later, he travelled to Perth, Australia and brought home another medal in double Pétanque for South Africa.
“In 2024, I competed in the National Games in Cape Town, training hard for the 200m and Pétanque events.”
Once again, he qualified to represent South Africa — this time in Dresden, Germany, which was held from 17–24 August this year.
“I competed in the 200m, 100m relay, single Pétanque and double Pétanque, where I was placed third in both Pétanque events.”
Arnolds was placed fifth in the 200m and second in the 100m relay, bringing three medals back home.
For Arnolds, competing as an athlete on a global level is more than receiving a medal.
“It is not always about coming first or second,” he shared. “It is also about the people and their health stories and learning how they overcame it. You meet people who have had heart transplants, bone marrow, liver or kidney transplants and for me it is also about making new friends and learning everyone’s stories.”
His inspirational message to those facing a health battle or any kind of hardship in life is: “There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Never give up on your goals or your dreams,” he says. “It doesn’t matter where you come from — you can rise, you can grow and you can make a difference.”
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