From failing class 1 to running at Rio, meet Mohankumar Raja
Synopsis
Name: Mohankumar Raja Discipline: Relay 4x400m Achievements: 2015 National Games - Gold
Born in Mangalapuram in Ambattur, one of the poorer areas in Chennai, all Mohankumar Raja's parents ever wanted was to educate their children so that they could get themselves rid of poverty.
But their dreams were shattered when Mohan fell sick and failed his Class 1 exam. “Studies and I did not mix. My parents were so desperate for me to pass; I used to go to tuition at 5 am when I was in Class VI. But I just couldn’t get it done. I just couldn’t grasp the idea of studying,” Mohan told The New Indian Express.
Raja was never inclined towards studies, he had different plans.Running meant more to him than academics but his grades at school started hampering his passion. However, his school PT master made sure that nothing came between Mohan and his passion.
“He helped me a lot. Even when I failed in Class IX, he spoke to the school management and urged them to reconsider. He told them ‘please don’t tamper with the life of a budding athlete’,” Mohan said.
His PT master continued to train him through his school days and by the time he entered college he could run 400m in 49 seconds.
Raja’s parents finally realised his passion lay in sport and when he called them to inform that he is going to Olympics he broke down in tears.
“He wasn’t clear because he was crying throughout the brief conversation I had with him. Initially, I thought he got injured on the track,” his father said. And after a brief pause, he said, “I am going to the Olympics.” He will be running the 4x400m relay at the event in Rio.
Mohan has won many medals for his college, DG Vaishnav, where he pursued his BA in Economics. “Hearty congratulations! R Mohan Kumar, III year BA Economics (Day) on being selected as a Member of the Indian Team (Athletics) 4x400m relay to participate in the Rio Olympics,” the college wrote on their website after he qualified for the Olympics.
According to TNIE, Mohan along with his team ran 4x400m relay and secured gold at the National Games last year. His brother who is extremely proud of Mohan said that he has completely changed the way people thought about Mangalapuram. “Mangalapuram had this perception that it can produce only petty criminals,” Mohan says. “If you went in search of a job and told the company that you were from Mangalapuram, people wouldn’t give you one. So I was happy that I was able to bring a good name to the area.”
His family has never let anything hamper his passion for the sport. “Whenever I used to come home and ask for better spikes my father wouldn’t flinch. He would just take the money he would have got from pledging jewellery, go out and get me spikes. So my dream in life is to take care of them. Repay the faith that they have shown in me.”
Aged 19, Raja is one of the youngest athletes to be a part of India’s largest ever contingent to represent the country at the Summer Olympics in Rio.