New Delhi | June 30, 2025
Behind every triumphant athlete crossing the finish line is a coach whose dedication rarely makes headlines. One such quiet torchbearer of Indian athletics is Dr. C. Ajithkumar, a man who has not only produced champions but continues to redefine what excellence in coaching truly means.
Hailing from the serene village of Palakkulam in Kerala’s Kottayam district, Dr. Ajithkumar’s story began in 1972 as the seventh of eight children raised by two schoolteachers—Chellappan Sir and Janamma Teacher. Their values of education and discipline became the cornerstones of his life.
A Sprinter Turned Mentor of Champions
As a former Kerala state sprinter, Ajithkumar was known for his speed—clocking 10.76 seconds in the 100m and 21.87 seconds in the 200m—and was awarded the Best Sportsmanship Award in 1991. Representing MG University and Kerala State from 1988 to 1992, he later joined the Indian Navy, where he clinched a silver medal in his first Services Meet held in Hyderabad.
But it was not the race he ran that defined his legacy—it was the race he helped others win.
Coaching Beyond Medals
With over 25 international athletes and 24 global medals under his mentorship, Dr. Ajithkumar’s impact is legendary. Some of his brightest trainees include:
-
Sneha S S – Gold at Taiwan Open, Silver at 2025 Asian Championships; 100m in 11.41s
-
Nayana James – Topped Asian long jump charts in 2017–2018
-
Jijin Vijayan – Finalist, 2011 World Youth Championships in France
-
Ranga – 4th at 2019 Asian Games in Doha; 100m in 11.42s
-
Bhavani Yadav Bhagabathi – Bronze at 2023 World University Games, China’s first Indian long jump medal in 121 years
-
12 women long jumpers, all crossing the elite 6-meter mark
Institutions and Initiatives
Dr. Ajithkumar has served across top athletic institutions, including:
-
SSB Delhi, Kerala, MG, and Calicut Universities
-
Alva’s Foundation, Karnataka
-
HRDS India Sports Academy
-
Mission Gold (Kerala Cricket Association)
-
Indira Gandhi Technological & Medical Sciences University, Arunachal Pradesh
Currently, he holds dual leadership roles:
-
Sports Director, Shaheed Bhagat Singh University, Punjab
-
Chief Project Director, Narendra Damodar Das Modi Institute of Sports & Science Research Centre, Gujarat
A National Honor Still Awaited
Despite a career that rivals those of award-winning coaches, Dr. Ajithkumar has yet to be honored with the Dronacharya Award or any national-level recognition. His supporters—from athletes to administrators—believe it’s long overdue.
Carrying the Torch of Giants
A student of the greats, he credits his evolution to mentors like Ouseph Sir, P.I. Babu, Padmini Thomas, and Coach Subhash George. Today, he uses that wisdom to power the careers of young hopefuls, training them to not just win medals—but to build character.
His base of operations in Jor Bagh, New Delhi, also serves as the command center for his digital initiative, Run With Ajith—a platform dedicated to talent development, training modules, and success stories from the grassroots to the global stage.
“Run for Purpose, Not for Praise”
“I never chased titles or headlines. My goal has always been to bring the best out of my athletes,” says Dr. Ajithkumar. “But if my work brings recognition to the role of coaches in building the nation’s sports culture, that itself is an award.”
Reach Out:
Dr. C. Ajithkumar
Chief Project Director
Narendra Damodar Das Modi Institute of Sports and Science Research Centre
📍 J11, BK Dutt Colony, Near Ministry of Environment, Jor Bagh, New Delhi – 110003
📞 +91 85900 67043
🌐 runwithajith.ralfiz.com
✉️ ajithk65379@gmail.com