Not every hero wears a medal. Some create them.
Dr. C. Ajithkumar, once a medal-winning sprinter from Kerala, is now one of the most accomplished athletics coaches India has ever produced. His life has been a relentless pursuit of excellence—from racing on the track as a young athlete to crafting champions on the global stage. Yet, despite his trailblazing contributions, his name is missing from the honors India bestows upon its finest.
The Athlete Who Ran Into History
Dr. Ajithkumar’s athletic journey began at S.B. College, Changanacherry, under MG University, Kottayam. Between 1987 and 1992, he earned medals at junior national championships and the All India University Games in the 100m and 200m sprints. His speed was unmatched, but it was his discipline and determination that truly set him apart.
These same qualities would later define his coaching philosophy.
Building Champions, One Jump at a Time
Fast forward to 2023: An Indian athlete, Bhavani Yadav Bhagavathi, wins a medal in long jump at the World University Games in China. It’s a historic moment—the first such achievement in athletics under the guidance of an Indian coach.
That coach? Dr. C. Ajithkumar.
While the athlete was celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Dr. Ajithkumar quietly stood behind the curtain—unrecognized, unrewarded, and once again, unseen.
A Record That Speaks for Itself
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18+ international medalists trained
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Chief Coach – World University Games 2023, Asian Athletics 2017, World Police Games 2019
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Best Coach Awards from Indian Universities, Sports Science India, Kerala State Athletics Association, and more
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Held leadership roles at Mangalore University, Shaheed Bhagat Singh University, Alva’s College, and HRDS India
His students stood on podiums. He stood in the background, clapping.
The Unspoken Injustice
Despite being the mind behind India’s rise in international university athletics, Dr. Ajithkumar has never been nominated for the Dronacharya Award or any national coaching honor.
Why?
That’s a question the sporting community must now answer.
More Than a Coach—A Movement
Dr. C. Ajithkumar is more than a trainer. He is a visionary, a motivator, and a builder of dreams. He brings not just coaching, but sports science, heart, and strategy to the field.
And yet, for all that he’s given, he asks for nothing—except an opportunity to see Indian athletics rise.
But it is time we give him something in return: the recognition he has long deserved.
Let the medals on his students’ chests reflect not just their victories, but his.
Let the nation not wait for another decade to honor the man who never stopped believing in India’s athletic future.
