From a blazing sprinter on the tracks of Kerala to a globally recognized athletic coach, Dr. C. Ajithkumar’s journey is a story of grit, greatness—and glaring neglect.
Dr. Chellappan Ajithkumar, fondly known in Indian sports circles as Dr. C. Ajithkumar, is a name that has come to symbolize dedication, scientific coaching, and international excellence. A former sprinter himself and now one of the most accomplished athletics coaches India has produced, Dr. Ajithkumar hails from the quaint village of Thrickodithanam in Kottayam, Kerala. A proud alumnus of S.B. College, Changanacherry (under MG University, Kottayam), he represented the college from 1987 to 1992 in 100m and 200m sprint events, bagging medals at the Junior National level and All India University meets—a testament to his early promise and athletic prowess.
Today, he stands tall as the first Indian coach in history to guide an athlete to a medal at the World University Games—a momentous achievement realized in 2023 at Chengdu, China, through his protégé Bhavani Yadav Bhagavathi. Yet, despite this monumental contribution to Indian athletics, Dr. Ajithkumar’s groundbreaking feat remains largely unacknowledged by the national sports fraternity. No award, no national-level honor, not even a memento to mark this moment of pride.
A Legacy of International Success
With over 25 years of coaching experience across premier sports institutions in India, Dr. Ajithkumar has carved out a coaching legacy like few others. His athlete-first philosophy, rooted in sports science and personalized training, has catapulted 18 athletes to win 22 international medals, and dozens more to national glory.
Among his most celebrated trainees is Nayana James, who clinched an Asian medal with a 6.55m long jump under his guidance after just four months of training. She topped the Asian rankings in both 2017 and 2018—a direct result of Ajithkumar’s precise training techniques and deep understanding of biomechanics.
His coaching stints span:
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Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Science University, Arunachal Pradesh (Head Coach)
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Mangalore University, Karnataka (Team Coach, 2017–2024)
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Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodabidri (Coach & Visiting Professor)
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Shaheed Bhagat Singh University (Director of Sports)
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HRDS India (Chief Project Director)
Key National and International Coaching Roles:
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Indian University Athletic Coach – World University Championship, Chengdu (2023)
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Indian Team Coach – Asian Track & Field Meet, Bhubaneswar (2017)
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Indian Police Team Coach – World Police Championship, China (2019)
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Chief Coach – Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Delhi (2018–2020)
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Kerala State Athletics Team Coach (2011 & 2015)
Awards & Recognition (Despite Limited National Acknowledgement):
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Sports Science India Best Coach Award (2024)
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Indian University Best Coach Award (2023)
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Amaruthavani Media Award, Karnataka (2023)
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SSB Best Coach Award, Central Police Department (2019)
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Kerala State Athletic Association Best Coach Award (2017)
A Historic Moment Overlooked
The magnitude of Dr. Ajithkumar’s achievement at the 2023 World University Games cannot be overstated. On December 20, 2023, medal-winning athletes and their coaches were honored at Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President of India. Dr. Ajithkumar was present at the ceremony. In his words:
“Being invited to the Rashtrapati Bhavan was an honor—but not receiving even a single token of recognition from my own country for creating history is my deepest disappointment.”
This lack of recognition reflects a broader concern: that even those who bring glory to the nation on the global stage often remain invisible if they are not part of the mainstream narrative.
Dr. C. Ajithkumar
The Torchbearer India Needs
Dr. C. Ajithkumar is not just a coach—he is a movement. A movement rooted in science, athlete empowerment, and selfless service to Indian sports. Whether mentoring the country’s top jumpers or shaping young talents from rural backgrounds, his passion for athletics remains unmatched.
As India aspires to become a global sporting superpower, it must remember and honor the mentors who light the path—those like Dr. Ajithkumar, whose contributions have already changed the course of Indian athletics.
