Image Credit: https://wtg2025.com/
Two Kerala men who once faced life-threatening organ failure are now set to represent India on the global stage. Sujith S from Kollam and Mithun Ashok from Thiruvananthapuram — both in their 30s and recipients of life-saving transplants — will compete at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, from August 17 to 24. They are the only participants from Kerala in the 57-member Indian contingent.
Honoured by the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO) on World Organ Donation Day, both men say their journeys are proof that a full, active life is possible after organ transplantation.
Sujith S: From Liver Failure to Sprinting for India
A sports lover since childhood, 33-year-old Sujith from Kallumthazham, Kollam, will compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m relay, volleyball, and football events. His athletic career once seemed over after he was diagnosed in 2019 with Wilson’s Disease, a genetic disorder that caused acute liver failure — just six months after his marriage.
His mother, Thara G, stepped in as a living donor, giving him part of her liver and a second chance at life. “It began with severe vomiting of blood. I was devastated, but my family’s support helped me fight back,” Sujith recalls.
Now a physical education teacher at Government High School, Panayil, Sujith trains under coach Jayakumar and already boasts silver medals from the 2023 National Transplant Games in Kochi. His message is simple: “Exercise and diet are the foundation of good health — for everyone.” A father of two, he hopes his example encourages others to stay active post-transplant.
Mithun Ashok: Darts Champion with a Fighter’s Spirit
For 37-year-old Mithun from Poojappura, sport became both recovery therapy and competitive passion. After a kidney transplant from an unrelated donor in 2008, he faced a major setback when the organ failed after 12 years. His sister, Shrithi Ashok, then donated her kidney, enabling him to resume a normal life.
The years in between were gruelling — filled with dialysis sessions and three major surgeries — but they only strengthened his resolve. He took up darts to rebuild his hand-eye coordination, later adding table tennis to his repertoire. Mithun now holds a national darts ranking of 59 and will compete in darts (singles and triples) on August 17 and table tennis on August 18.
“I’ve mostly practiced darts at home since the sport isn’t popular here,” says the SBI employee. “Staying active is essential, especially to counter the side effects of long-term medication.”
Carrying Kerala’s Hopes to the World Stage
As they prepare to fly to Germany, Sujith and Mithun see themselves as ambassadors not only for sport but for the life-transforming power of organ donation. Their participation, they believe, sends a message of resilience and hope — showing that with the right support, transplant recipients can return to the playing field, and even compete with the world’s best.
