Local teenager praises Tooting surgeon for saving her sporting career
A local teenager competing in this month’s Commonwealth Games has praised a surgeon at Tooting’s St George’s Hospital for saving her sporting career, after her dream was threatened by a devastating injury.
Judo champion Frema Agyei feared her competing days were over, after a torn ligament led to further issues.
The 17-year-old was just 16 when she sustained the injury, which left her unable to perform without extreme pain.
The A-level student from Colliers Wood first realised something was wrong when she felt a searing pain in her left wrist during practice.
She said: “As part of my judo, I have to do body conditioning which includes pull-ups and push-ups – but I was in so much pain, it was impossible.
“In turn, that affected my performance as I was in pain with the most basic moves, so I just couldn’t do my judo.”
Frema was treated by Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon Shamim Umarji and her team at St George’s.
Frema was told that she had a torn ligament, resulting in a ganglion cyst forming in her wrist – which is a thick, jelly-like fluid that develops along the joints or tendons. To treat the cyst, Frema was given an injection to drain the fluid and a week later had an ultrasound-guided sterile injection, where ultrasound imaging was used to guide a needle into her wrist.
A few months later, she was able to return to competing and went on to qualify for Glasgow 2026, representing Ghana – where her father is from – in the under 57kg category.
Frema said: “Miss Umarji saved my sporting career, without a doubt. If it wasn’t for her, I probably would have struggled in competitions. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to her.”
As well as treating Frema, Shami also arranged for her to shadow her team on work experience, to help her choose between two career paths – becoming a doctor or a dentist.
Frema’s father Kofi echoed his daughter’s praise for the care Frema received.
“We need more people in the NHS like Miss Umarji,” he said. “She is amazing and can turn water into wine in my eyes. She listened to us – she was like the man from Del Monte and said ‘yes’ – we wouldn’t be going to Glasgow if it wasn’t for her. Miss Umarji has made such a big impact in our lives.”
Frema has shared her story as she urges people to celebrate their health heroes at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) at the third ‘gesh CARE Awards’.
All NHS colleagues are recognised – from the clinical frontline to essential support colleagues, including porters, cleaners and volunteers.
Frema said: “These awards are a great way for the public to vote for dedicated NHS workers like Miss Umarji, who have gone the extra mile to help their patients.”
Click here to vote for someone at this year’s gesh CARE Awards. Nominations close at midnight on Sunday 12 July 2026.