Raising the bar: British swimmers dominate World Transplant Games

British swimmers exceeded even the highest expectations at the 2025 World Transplant Games – contributing towards a dominant display which saw Great Britain top the medal table.

Ahead of the Games in Dresden, Swim England profiled three remarkable athletes – Ava, Jodie Cox and Liam Barnett – as they prepared to compete.

Now, following their return from Germany, the results speak for themselves. In total, British swimmers secured 130 medals, including 59 gold, 47 silver and 24 bronze. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the strength, determination and spirit of the transplant community.

Ava (15–17 age category) delivered a phenomenal performance, winning five individual golds and setting four Transplant Games world records in the 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle, as well as 50m Butterfly. She also achieved four personal bests and came within 0.18 seconds of another world record in the 50m Breaststroke.

Together with the women’s relay, she added two more gold medals to her collection in the 4x50m Medley and 4x50m Freestyle, which she swam together with Jodie.

Jodie (40–49 age category) also dominated her events and like Ava, won five individual golds. She set two new world Transplant Games records, in the 50m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle, and apart from winning the Women’s 4x50m Freestyle relay with a new Transplant Games world record, also took home a silver medal in the 200+ Mixed 4x50m Freestyle relay.

Liam, competing in the 30–39 age category, delivered a truly outstanding performance, claiming seven gold medals and setting Transplant Games world records in both the 200m Individual Medley and the Men’s 4x50m Medley relay.

His dominance in the pool was unmistakable, as he went on to win every individual race he entered – including the 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle events, as well as the 50m Butterfly.

With their results, Ava, Liam and Jodie won all five of their individual events as well as winning medals and breaking records in different relays.

Adding to the celebrations, 14-year-old Nicolae Acceleanu was named Best Junior Male Athlete of the Games – an honour spanning all sports. He won five gold medals, all in Transplant Games world record time, and contributed to the victorious Men’s 4x50m Medley relay by swimming the breaststroke.

These athletes are a great example of not just talent but hard work and fighting their way back, and onto the world stage. Their achievements continue to inspire the transplant community and the wider sporting world.