Lomu steps up fitness drive - 橄欖球

Monday, 13 September, 2004, 10:37 GMT 11:37 UK
Lomu steps up fitness drive


Former All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu is running again less than two months
after undergoing a kidney transplant.

The 29-year-old was struck by nephrotic syndrome early in 2003 and required
up to six hours of dialysis treatment a day before the surgery.

The side-effects of the treatment included numbness and tingling in his legs,
but the problems have cleared up.

"Not only can I walk properly again, I can also run and I'm getting more and
more confident every day," said Lomu.

Lomu underwent 14 months of dialysis treatment before a donor, friend and
radio announcer Grant Kiriama, was found.

"You don't know who your friend is until he turns up with a kidney. He
didn't want anything, he just did it," said Lomu.

He denied reports that he was planning a comeback at next March's Sevens
World Cup in Hong Kong but said he still had "a lot to offer.

"I have got to ensure that I am in good shape. I have got to jog before I
start to sprint."


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