Aries Merritt claims bronze days before kidney transplant
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Updated 28/08/2015 at 19:34 GMT
Olympic champion Aries Merritt claimed an extraordinary bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships days before he undergoes a kidney transplant.
Aries Merritt of U.S. smiles after winning the men's 110 metres hurdles semi-final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 27, 2015
Image credit: Reuters
American Merritt, who was told he would never run again after being diagnosed with kidney disease in 2013, will receive the new organ from his sister in Arizona next week.
The 30-year-old got off to his usual explosive start and had an early lead before his lack of training took its toll and he faded over the final hurdles.
"How is that possible? I don't know," he said. "I just kept a level head and did what needed to be done and completed my race to the best of my ability.
"But given the circumstances, I think it was my best race of the year and I came away with a medal, just as I had hoped to.
"It almost means more to me than my Olympic gold, the state I'm in, the training I've done, it's been very difficult, very hard. The struggle is real."
Merritt feat has inspired many.
Sergey Shubenkov ran a Russian record to win gold, storming down the track in 12.98 seconds.
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