A KINGSWINFORD teenager has returned home victorious with four gold medals after competing in the World Transplant Games.

Kristof Polgar, who was given the gift of life through organ donation, recently travelled to Perth, Australia, where he proudly flew the flag for Great Britain at the 24th global event.

He returned a world champion with titles in four events for his age group – tennis, badminton, squash and table tennis - with his performance earning him the prestigious ‘Best Overall Junior Athlete’ prize.

The 15-year-old Summerhill School student also won a bronze medal in the men’s doubles table tennis event after standing in as a late replacement.

Kristof underwent a life-saving liver transplant operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s world-renowned specialist unit when he was just three after being diagnosed with the rare condition, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC).

Ahead of the procedure he had been unable to walk, eat or drink but since the successful operation he has not looked back and has excelled in sports.

He’s been a regular competitor at the British Transplant Games representing the children’s hospital.

To date, he’s got a haul of more than 20 medals and is looking to the next event, his tenth, taking place in Coventry from July 27 to 30.

Kristof, who hopes to pursue a career in sports psychology, was joined by his mum and dad, Erika and Csaba, and sister, Doroti, in Western Australia – a trip made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters who backed their fundraising efforts.

There he joined more than 1,500 competitors from 45 countries at the games.

He said: “It was a long trip but it was great when we got there. I played against people from lots of countries, including France, South Africa and Australia across two or three rounds. It was tough but brilliant to come back with four golds in the end.”

The event, from April 15 to 21, was Kristof’s second ‘worlds’ event after he competed a little closer to home in Gateshead previously.

Proud Mum, Erika, said: “It was such an inspiring event. Like the British Transplant Games, you just look around and see the amazing difference that transplantation makes. All possible because of organ donation.”

Kristof’s family are passionate advocates for organ donation and have struck up a close bond with Angie Land, the mother of Kristof’s donor – Justin.

Erika said: “We are forever grateful to Angie and Justin, as well as to everyone at Birmingham Children’s Hospital who continue to care for Kristof.

“They do amazing things and it’s not just the doctors – there are so many people involved including the physiotherapists, dietitians and much more.

“The more people see stories like Kristof’s, the more they can become aware of the difference their decision to be an organ donor can make.

“It’s given my son a second chance in life but there are still so many people and families that don’t get that.

“If more sign up and share their thoughts with their loved ones, the greater chance that more can get the ‘gift of life’.”

It’s estimated that more than 7,000 people are currently on a transplant waiting list in the UK.