Rajesh Ramesh, from Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, is a senior ticket-checker in Southern Railways; he's eyeing a gold in the Asian Games.
The Indian 4*400 metres quartet comprising Rajesh Ramesh, Muhammad Ajmal, Amoj Jacob and Muhammad Anas Yahiya. (X)
On 25 August, Rajesh Ramesh ran the best final leg of his life, threatening to overtake the US’s megastar quarter-miler, Justin Robinson, in the heats of the 4×400 metres relay.
“I was spooked,” Robinson reportedly admitted later at Budapest’s National Athletics Centre where the quadrennial World Athletic Championship was held.
The race, however, was not a walk in the park for Ramesh. Midway through the race, he felt a terrible burn of lactic acid in his legs.
“I vomited intermittently for an hour or two after the heats. I was fatigued,” the 24-year-old athlete told South First from the Asian Games national camp in Thiruvananthapuram.
Ramesh’s was not an easy feat. He turned heads in the finals when he edged past the Botswanan sprinter right at the finish line, who tried to “block” him initially but was later disqualified.
The Indian squad finished fifth in the finals ahead of the Netherlands, Italy and Botswana, clocking 2:59:92 seconds.
Good job. See you all in final.#Budapest23 pic.twitter.com/uVRvwU1Po5
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) August 26, 2023
Hailing from Peralam village in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvarur district, Ramesh made the cut for the Indian team in 2020.
But the journey started way back in 2009 for the quarter-miler — when he was in Class VI.
Rajesh Ramesh (right) celebrating with his teammates after the WC heats. (X)
“I participated in school games and and my physical education teacher Paramanand motivated and trained me for an year. I won all the races in the school sports meet that year,” Ramesh recalled.
From Class VII to Class XII, he stayed at a sports hostel in Trichy, where he underwent daily training, besides pursuing his studies.
An Economics graduate from Chennai’s DG Vaishanava College, Ramesh got a job in South Zone Railways as a ticket-checker right after college.
Three years ago, it seemed his chances in taking part in World Championships were bleak.
“It was the Covid-19 time. I didn’t really enjoy my time as a ticket-checker. My mind was on the athletics track. I wanted to go back there as soon as possible. But being a railway employee, I had to do that duty as well,” Ramesh had said.
Ramesh, who represented India at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Finland, announced himself at the senior level at the April 2022 National Federation Cup in Kerala — held at the CH Muhammed Koya Stadium In Thenhipalam — where he ran a 46:45 seconds race.
The same year, he also secured the first position at the Indian Grand Prix in Thiruvananthapuram with a time of 46:35 seconds.
Rajesh Ramesh with his coaches and teammates at SAI Trivandrum. (X)
However, Ramesh suffered a setback when a minor injury forced him out of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July-August.
But in October, he bounced back with a silver in 400 metres and bronze in 4×400 metres relay at the 2022 National Games held in Gujarat.
“After the National Games medals, my department started to recognise me more and granted me enough leaves and facilities to train,” Ramesh said.
However, his stock in the national circuit went up this year when he shocked seasoned campaigners Muhammad Anas and Muhammad Ajmal, by clocking 45:75 seconds.
Ramesh is thankful to his family’s vital support throughout his career. “They never opposed me while pursuing athletics but supported me through rough patches.”
“When I said that I am going to be an athlete, my father (a photoshop owner) encouraged me and even gave me money to attend practice sessions. Initially, I did not win any medals, but they never discouraged me and always motivated me to win,” Ramesh said. His mother is a homemaker. He also has a younger brother.
Ramesh also stayed in touch with senior athletes who were part of the Indian camp. “They shared their experience and techniques and other areas that were crucial.”
In a “routine promotion”, he was also appointed as a senior ticket-checker after his return from Budapest.
Rising beyond the expectations, the Indian 4×400 quartet of Ramesh and his teammates — Muhammad Anas, Muhammad Ajmal and Amoj Jacob — ran a gritty 1,600 metres.
Storming past the finishing line in style, they entered history books by shattering Japan’s Asian record of 2:59:51 seconds in the first heat. The Indian quartet clocked 2:59.05 seconds.
Watching his final leg run, his teammate Jacob from Delhi but with roots in Kerala reportedly muttered: “Bhai mar ja agar marna hai, bas pakad ke rakhiyo (Brother, die if you have to but don’t let him go).”
Rajesh Ramesh (right most) with the Indian quartet after the heats in the Budapest WC. (X)
Ramesh noted that Jacob was always supportive and prodded his teammates to go that extra mile.
About scripting the new Asian record, Ramesh said, “Earlier India held the Asian record, which was broken by the Japanese athletes. So, we broke it and everyone was very happy.”
Only the US, which is the world record holder since 1993 and defending Olympics champions, were ahead with a timing of 2:58:47 seconds in the heats.
It was also the first time an Indian relay team has entered sub-three minute, creating a new national record.
“Our goal was to to finish in the top three and qualify for the finals as India had never done that. As there were experienced campaigners (the United Kingdom, Botswana, the US, and Japan) in the line-up, we were nervous. But once the race started, we forgot everything and focused on our goal,” Ramesh recalled.
All eyes on Asian Games
After returning from the World Championship in the Hungarian capital Budapest in late August, Ramesh has not visited his home so far. “I will go after the Asian Games.”
The Indian squad created a new Asian record of 2:59:51 seconds in the first heat. (X)
The racer has been gearing up for the 19th Asian Games from 23 September to 8 October in Hangzhou, China. The games were originally scheduled to be held in 2022, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Indian team trains under Jamaican coach Jason Dawson, assisted by national coach Premanand Jayakumar, who took charge in December last year. Ramesh said that Dawson motivated players positively while pushing hard in training.
“He changed the training pattern and it was harder than our previous coaches. He always says that every player should keep a record in their mind. He also introduced a new baton training style, and new techniques during splits, which were new to us,” Ramesh said.
He and his teammates have their eyes set on gold medal. They are all pumped up to surpass their newly created record at the World Championship.
“The four of us are like a family and really want to win the Asian Games.” Ramesh said.
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