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Racing after a heart transplant

November 24, 2025

After suffering two sudden cardiac deaths and a number of severe health complications, 32-year-old Tamara Schwab's life was saved by a heart transplant . She has now vowed not to waste a single minute of her second stint at life — and is pushing herself to the limit to compete in the World Transplant Games. But can her body take it?

https://p.dw.com/p/542hU

Tamara Schwab nearly lost her life after suffering two sudden cardiac arrests — and was eventually diagnosed withcardiomyopathy. For years she struggled with uncertainty, fear, and an all-consuming wait for a donor heart. Eventually a donor heart was found and a successful transplant gave her a precious second chance — one she’s determined to make the most of.


Now based in Roth, Bavaria, the former Vice Miss Germany (2024) and resilience coach has set her sights on competing at the World Transplant Games. But can her new heart withstand the demands of the high-stakes competition?

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Akanksha Saxena
Akanksha Saxena Multimedia journalist covering India and the wider South Asia region.akankshasxn
DW Autorenfoto | Kate Martyr
Kate Martyr Editor and video producer at DW's Asia Desk and News Digital
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Sports Life — Overcoming Challenges with Sports

Everything we know about life can be found in sports: Success and failure, euphoria and despair. Sports Life tells stories from across the globe, where sports drives personal growth and changes lives.