In the annals of Indian athletics, few names have silently reshaped the nation’s track and field landscape as profoundly as Dr. C. Ajithkumar. A former national-level sprinter turned elite-level coach, Dr. Ajithkumar has dedicated over 25 years of his life to cultivating sprinting champions, building institutions, and elevating India’s sporting presence globally. Despite his trailblazing contributions, his name still awaits the national recognition it richly deserves—most notably, the Dronacharya Award.
Champion Athletes from Dr. Ajithkumar’s Camp
Under his guidance, a constellation of sprinters has risen to represent India on international platforms:
- Sneha S.S. – A national games gold medalist and currently India’s fastest woman over 100m with a personal best of 11.41 seconds. She represented India at the 30th Asian Athletics Championship in South Korea (2025). She is the 19th athlete to wear the national jersey after training under Dr. Ajithkumar.
- Ranga – An Asian Games athlete from Doha 2019, Ranga boasts a 100m best of 11.42 seconds and is the World Police Games record holder in both the 100m and 200m events (Chengdu, China, 2019).
- Jijin – Represented India at the World Youth Championships in Lille, France (2011)—a pivotal achievement stemming from Dr. Ajithkumar’s early coaching legacy.
These are not isolated successes, but reflections of a deeply consistent coaching methodology focused on precision, discipline, and tailored athlete development.
Athlete to Architect: A Stellar Personal Journey
Dr. Ajithkumar’s athletic journey began on the tracks of S.B. College, Changanacherry (Mahatma Gandhi University) between 1987 and 1992, where he medaled in 100m and 200m events at junior nationals and inter-university meets. This foundation as a competitive sprinter laid the groundwork for his transformation into one of India’s most scientific and impactful athletics coaches.
Historic Coaching Achievements
Among Dr. Ajithkumar’s many milestones, the 2023 World University Games in Chengdu, China stands out. Coaching Bhavani Yadav Bhagavathi, he guided her to a historic medal in the long jump, marking the first time an Indian coach had led an athlete to podium success at the World University Games. While the athlete was honored at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Dr. Ajithkumar’s vital role behind the scenes went largely unnoticed.
Wider Impact Across Institutions
With over 25 years of coaching experience, Dr. Ajithkumar has cultivated excellence across premier academic and sports institutions across India, including:
- Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University (IGTAMSU), Arunachal Pradesh
- Mangalore University, Karnataka
- Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala
- University of Kerala
- Calicut University
- Rajiv Gandhi University, Bangalore
- Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodabidri
Currently, he is:
- Director of Sports at Shaheed Bhagat Singh University (SBSU)
- Visiting Professor at Alva’s College of Physical Education and IGTAMSU University
- Actively working as a coach across various colleges and universities across India, helping shape the future of Indian athletics.
National and Institutional Honors
Dr. Ajithkumar has received numerous accolades that reflect the respect he commands within the athletics fraternity:
- Indian University Best Coach Award (2023)
- Amaruthavani Karnataka Award (2023)
- SSB Best Coach Award (2019)
- Kerala State Athletic Association Award (2017)
- Sports Science India Best Coach Award (2024)
He has also served as coach at major international events such as:
- World University Games 2023 (Chengdu, China)
- Asian Athletics Championship 2017 (Bhubaneswar)
- World Police Games 2019 (China)
A Legacy in Numbers and Values
- 18 International Medal-Winning Athletes
- Multiple National Champions
- Hundreds of Students Trained
- Decades of Ethical and Scientific Coaching
His work emphasizes not just performance, but holistic development—mental conditioning, injury prevention, and character building.
A Call for Dronacharya Award Recognition
In an age where sports coaching is being professionalized, India must turn its attention to mentors who have already built results through sheer perseverance, passion, and patriotism. Dr. C. Ajithkumar is a rare gem, embodying the values of mentorship, sportsmanship, and national service.
Athletes he trained are now global competitors, medal winners, and symbols of Indian excellence. It is only fitting that the nation now honors the coach who made this possible.
Conclusion: Time to Celebrate the Architect Behind India’s Speed
Dr. C. Ajithkumar is not just a coach—he is a visionary, a relentless force powering India’s emergence on the global athletics map. As the sprinting spikes thunder on international tracks and Indian flags soar, we must also lift the names of mentors like him—the unsung architects of national pride.
India, it’s time to recognize and reward one of your own.
