From Railway Ticket Collector to High Jump Contender: The Aadarsh Ram Story
In the bustling corridors of Mumbai's Churchgate railway station, a 24-year-old Tamil Nadu high jumper once navigated the daily grind as a ticket collector, his athletic dreams hidden beneath a uniform. Today, that quiet pursuit has erupted onto the international stage, with Aadarsh Ram clinching bronze at the Asian Indoor Championships and securing qualifications for both the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
A Journey Marked by Perseverance and Breakthroughs
Aadarsh Ram's path has been anything but straightforward. After joining Western Railways in May 2021, he faced immense challenges balancing demanding shifts with rigorous training. The first year proved a test of endurance, leaving him stuck at a plateau of 2.12 meters and grappling with self-doubt. According to Railways regulations, only a medal at the Open Nationals could grant him a year of full-time training, making 2023 a decisive season.
Despite nursing a heel injury, Aadarsh secured a third-place finish at the 2023 Open Nationals, with three athletes tied at 2.10 meters. "Had I not medalled at the Open Nationals in 2023, my career would have been over," he revealed. "I was at a very low point, and when people said I could not progress, I started to question if I could excel. I guess I had a bit of luck on my side as the three of us ended with bronze medals."
Overcoming Adversity and Finding Guidance
The period from September 2021 to September 2022 was particularly grueling. Without a coach and unable to train full-time, Aadarsh often found his mind drifting during duty, wondering why he wasn't focusing solely on sport. Language barriers added to his struggles, as he knew only limited Hindi initially, leading to confrontations with passengers. "Many passengers would hesitate to pay fines immediately, and some would target me, but it was normal. I had to learn the language to manage, and my seniors helped me," he shared.
His turnaround began in January 2023 when he approached Sahana Kumari, the national record holder in women's high jump, for training in Bengaluru. Under her guidance, Aadarsh has shown steady progression, strengthening his basics and setting ambitious goals. "Our aim is not just to compete in CWG and Asiad but to win medals. I am just getting started this season, and I think I can get past the 2.25-meter mark, which could fetch me medals in both competitions," he added.
Recent Achievements and Future Aspirations
Aadarsh's recent performances have been nothing short of remarkable. He clinched bronze at the Asian Indoor Championships in February with a leap of 2.19 meters and later cleared a personal best of 2.23 meters to finish second in the Indian Open Series in Bengaluru. These efforts have not only breached the qualification standards set by the Athletics Federation of India for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games but also silenced critics who believed he had passed his prime due to frequent injuries.
Now 28, Aadarsh feels his age might be a factor in not being officially part of the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence, but he hopes his performances will soon earn him a spot for full-time training in Bengaluru. "While Sarvesh Kushare cleared 2.21 meters in his early 20s and showed consistent progress, my journey was marked by inconsistency. However, under Sahana ma'am's guidance, I have found my rhythm," he explained.
Roots and Motivation: From Academics to Athletics
A mechanical engineer by education, Aadarsh initially focused on academics, with no intention of pursuing sports professionally. His trajectory changed when he secured admission in Coimbatore under the sports quota, where a full scholarship depended on winning a medal at a national-level competition. He achieved this without proper training and later competed in the World University Games in 2019.
Driven by a desire to manage his own expenses and not depend on his parents, Aadarsh's discipline was forged through the pursuit of that scholarship. This relentless drive continues to define his approach to high jump, as he balances his duties as a senior ticket collector with aspirations of international glory.
In a role where he often encounters fellow sportspersons at the station, Aadarsh offers a piece of advice: "Whenever I find sportspersons at the station, they often try to avoid me. I would advise them to buy tickets and not risk doing the wrong thing and getting fined." His story is a testament to resilience, proving that with determination and the right guidance, even the most challenging dual roles can lead to soaring heights.
