Umesh Dhavalikar won gold in 5 km walk and 200 metres running.
Photo Credits: The Goan
PANAJI
Umesh Dhavalikar, a liver transplant recipient who underwent surgery a decade ago, won three medals at the fifth edition of the ROTTO-PGIMER National Transplant Games 2025.
The games, held recently in Chandigarh, brought together organ donors and recipients from across India, with participants competing in a variety of sports.
Representing Goa as the sole participant from the State, Umesh secured two gold medals in the 5 km walk and 200 metres running, and a bronze in the 100 metres running, all in the 40 years and above category. The event was divided into two age groups—above 40 years and below 40 years—and featured a range of sports including sprinting, badminton, javelin throw, and even chess and carrom.
Though the transplant games are held annually in different States, this was Umesh’s first time competing in the event. His remarkable performance has garnered attention, showcasing his dedication to physical fitness and recovery since his life-saving liver transplant surgery in 2015. Umesh’s sister, Sangeeta Vikram Nayak, had donated part of her liver to save his life when his liver began to fail rapidly. The transplant was carried out by senior liver transplant surgeons Dr Sonal Asthana and Dr Mathew Jacob in Bengaluru.
Since his recovery, Umesh has focused on maintaining both physical and mental fitness, while also becoming an advocate for organ donation awareness. “Medal winners in the national games get the opportunity to represent India in the World Transplant Games. I’ve already started preparing for the next World Transplant Games in Germany,” Umesh shared. He encouraged more organ donors and recipients in Goa to take part in such events, emphasising the importance of sports in maintaining fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
During the prize distribution ceremony, Rajpal, former captain of the national hockey team, was the chief guest and highlighted the nobility of organ donation. Dr Anil Kumar, Chairman of NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation), also spoke, urging more people to donate organs to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of organs. Prof Bipin Koushal, Chief of PGIMER, congratulated the medal winners and recognised the efforts of organ donors and their families.
