Sam now a triple champion after World Transplant Games glory

Ace archer Sam Newton picked up two gold medals at the World Transplant Games to complete a memorable treble.

The win ensures that the Spalding shooter is now a British champion, European champion and world champion.

His first gold at Newcastle and Gateshead came in the individual competition when he comprehensively beat Thai opponent Supasak

Choeichum – the only other competitor in the men’s 30-39 age category.

With the 80cm target at a 30m distance, 38-year-old Newton shot a score of 294 from his 36 arrows, which included four golds.

Rival Choeichum could only manage 142.

Impressively for Newton – who underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant five years ago – his score in the individual event was confirmed as the highest on the field across all male and female categories at the event.

Newton then partnered up with Peter Nichols to also win gold for Great Britain in the team event.

This event started with a round robin against four others – three British and a German.

Newton and Nichols eased through to the semi-finals with four wins and then won that match 6-0.

They went on to triumph in the final against fellow GB team members Susan Wrightson and Edwin Shutt by the same 6-0 scoreline.

Newton also competed in badminton events at the games. He was knocked out of the singles competition but won his opening mixed pairs match with Catherine Hall.

However, the duo were then eliminated by another Team GB pairing.

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