Welsh teenager Archie Morton says he “does not know where he would be without badminton” after winning gold in the junior singles at the 2025 World Transplant Games. The 17-year-old from Llandrindod Wells now hopes to compete in this year’s European Transplant Games in Holland.
Born without a left kidney and with only 25 percent function in his right, Morton underwent a life-saving transplant in December 2021, with his father Adam donating the kidney. After a long recovery, Archie joined his father for a casual game of badminton a year later, which quickly developed into a serious pursuit and ultimately led to his gold medal in Dresden, Germany.
“Day to day I have always been a sporty kid,” Morton said. “I played football and many other sports, but with kidney failure, it was a gradual decline that then hit me all at once. My energy dropped from running around for 90 minutes to barely getting out of bed. Everything ached, my appetite disappeared, anything I ate made me sick. I could not move.”
Adam Morton said the family had been aware of Archie’s kidney issues from birth. “He was very poorly to start with, suffering pneumonia and spending a long time in intensive care. We were unsure if he would pull through. His kidney could not keep up with his growth and eventually a transplant became necessary.”
After testing, Adam was found to be the best match. A planned operation was initially delayed due to an infection, but Archie and his father took precautions to remain ready. The transplant was successfully completed on December 21, 2021.
“I would not be here without him,” Archie said of his father. “It is such a big thing to give up a kidney. I could not be more grateful. The transplant gave me my energy, my appetite, and the chance to get back to the things I love. It fully changed my life.”
Inspired by his experience, Archie hopes to pursue a career in medicine. “I know the difference a good and caring doctor can make. From my time as a patient, I understand how much a kind gesture, a smile, or asking if you are okay can change a hospital visit. I want to make that difference for others.”
As for badminton, Archie remains focused on enjoying the sport and the community it has given him. “I am not expecting to become a world champion, but being able to continue this journey, meeting great people and making lifelong friends through the Transplant Games, is amazing. Hopefully I can progress to national competitions, but for now, being a Transplant World Champion does not get much better than this.”
