Claudia Hombach, a Technical Product Design Manager at Richter, defended her World Champion title in the javelin throw at the 2019 Summer World Transplant Games in Newcastle, England last month.
After an unfortunate start on her first attempt in the track and field event, Claudia steadily improved with every throw, claiming the title in her last attempt.
With a final distance of 21.67m (71.1 feet), she moved the Italian and Iraqi rivals to second and third place and won the gold medal for the 2nd year in a row.
Claudia also participated as a substitute in the darts competition, winning the bronze medal with her German teammates after an exhausting 11-hour competition.
She had only one day of rest after darts before competing in her favorite discipline, the javelin throw.
In 1999, Claudia was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease that slowly damages the bile ducts. In 2013, she received a partial liver donation from her twin sister, saving her life.
“Before the operation took place, my sister and I set the goal to take part at an athletic competition a year after the donation,” Claudia said. “This goal helped me to come back to life. Still setting new athletic goals year after year give me the power and strength to manage my life, while also meeting others with similar experiences”
Around 2,400 participants from 60 nations registered for the one-week event from August 17th – 23rd. The world championship titles were awarded in 14 different sport categories including Track & Field events, Cycling, Road Races, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Table-tennis, Badminton, Squash, Volleyball, Bowling and more. Participants ranged in age from 4 to 80 years old.
All participants share a common experience. They all got the chance for a second life by a heart, liver, kidney, lung, pancreas, stem cell or small intestine transplant. Sport gives them the power and self-confidence to master their everyday life with the new organ.
Claudia is eager to defend her title again at the 2021 World Championships in Houston, Texas.
