Six athletes from the UAE – four women and two men are preparing to make history this August when the nation makes its debut at the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden, Germany.
The Games are a global celebration of resilience and second chances, bringing together transplant recipients, living donors, and their families from more than 50 countries. For Team UAE, it’s not just about medals; it’s about proving the power of movement to heal, inspire, and transform lives.
Meet Team UAE
- Katie Larkins – Liver transplant recipient and educator leading the team, competing in long-distance events and championing youth wellness.
- Fatima Rashid – Kidney transplant athlete and mental health advocate, racing across multiple disciplines to highlight strength through movement.
- Husena Beguwala – Filmmaker and lung transplant survivor, running to raise awareness of rare diseases and the gift of organ donation.
- Hind Juma – Living donor who saved her mother’s life, now proudly representing the UAE on the international stage.
- Justin Anthony – Double lung transplant recipient competing in throwing and bowling events, embracing his second chance at life.
- Omar “OT” Tom – Two-time kidney transplant recipient and sprinter inspiring a new generation of athletes.
More Than Competition
Behind every race bib is a story of courage. Together, the team reflects a movement bigger than sport, one that honors the resilience of transplant recipients, the generosity of donors, and the life-changing impact of organ donation.
ASICS, a long-standing advocate of sport as a pathway to mental and physical wellbeing, is supporting Team UAE on this historic journey. Their backing ensures these athletes can step onto the world stage not only as competitors, but as role models for what it means to thrive after transplant.
As Team UAE lines up in Dresden, they carry with them a powerful message: life after transplant is not just survival – it’s strength, movement, and the chance to make history.
