A NORTH-EAST sportswoman will be returning to the country this weekend as a medallist from the World Transplant Games.
Joan Whitney, 61, of Montague's Harrier, Guisborough, east Cleveland, was a badminton player for many years before she suffered a heart attack in 1996.
After initial recovery, she was sent to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle for tests. In January 1997 she had a heart transplant.
After the operation, her family advised her to carry on with her favourite sport as a way of keeping up a gentle fitness regime, although it took her more than a year to pick up her racquet again.
She was selected to represent England at the World Transplant Games in Kobe, Japan, which took place this week. Mrs Whitney won bronze medals in both the ladies singles and doubles .
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