SPORTSWOMAN and transplant patient Wendy Sincock from Spreyton has had great success at the World Transplant Games in Sweden, winning six medals, four of them gold.

Wendy was a member of a team of 133 athletes representing the UK at the games in Gotenburg, taking part in six races between June 17 and 24.

The team joined 1,000 other competitors from across the globe, all of whom have undergone an organ transplant.

Wendy had a kidney transplant 13 years ago this October. She competed in six events this year — the 50 and 100 metres backstroke, 50 and 100 metres freestyle, the 50 metres butterfly, and the 4 x 50m team medley.

She won gold in 50m and 100m backstroke, and in the 50m and 100m freestyle. In both freestyle events, she set a new world record. She won silver in the 50m butterfly, and bronze in the 4 x 50m medley team event.

Wendy said: 'I feel absolutely marvellous! Especially to have done so well at the World Games — it's special to do well at the British Games, but it means an awful lot to do so well at the World Games, and get two world records too! When I won the first gold I felt the pressure was off, so to go on and win more medals was great, I'm really chuffed.

'I recently joined the Okehampton Masters swim club, and that ended up being really key to my success.

'Nick, my swimming teacher, was brilliant with me. He told me a lot of things I wasn't doing properly, and those things helped me to get my fastest times ever.'

Wendy's success in the butterfly is more extraordinary for the fact she only recently took up the stroke.

She said: 'I love the butterfly as a stroke, but I was self-taught. I found doing 25 metres difficult, and to get my rhythm and breathing right.

'But I always like to have a new aim, especially as a transplantee. To do so well I was delighted with.

'When I got out of the pool, I told my husband I wasn't as exhausted as I thought I'd be. He told me I wasn't trying hard enough!'

'Next I'm off to the British Games in Belfast on August 4. I'll be taking part in five events in total, and attempting to break my own world record at the British Games.

'I'm looking forward to getting back to training.'