Mohammed Afsal: The Journey to India’s 800m National Record

Before Mohammed Afsal became one of India’s fastest 800m runners, he was a young boy who had little understanding of sport and even less interest in hard training. His journey began in 2010, when he moved from a CBSE school to a government sports school. What followed was a transformation built on patience, discipline and an unwavering family belief.

In the latest episode of Reliance Foundation’s Safar Champions Ka, Mohammed Afsal looks back at the journey that took him from discovering athletics at a sports school in Kerala to becoming India’s 800m national record holder, reflecting on his family’s unwavering support, the turning points in his career and the belief that continues to drive him towards new milestones.

“I was very lazy. I didn’t have any idea about sports. I wasn’t able to do hard training,” Afsal recalls.

The medals did not come immediately. But gradually, he adapted to the demands of training and understood that hard work could change everything. By 2012, he was winning medals at state and national championships, before progressing to junior and senior national competitions.

For his mother, Haseena, her son’s journey carried a deeply personal meaning. She had loved sport herself but never got the opportunity to pursue it.

“I loved sports. But I wasn’t able to do it. I wanted to do it through my children,” she says.

Her dream was simple: to see her son win a medal at the state level. She was willing to do whatever it took to support him.
“I was very supportive of him. I was ready to do anything for my son.”

That support was not just emotional. Haseena remembers one early-morning journey when Afsal was travelling for practice. When another athlete struggled to find a ride, Haseena's message was clear: the answer was to work hard enough to earn respect.

“You have to get a medal. You have to work hard for that. Then everything will happen.”

Afsal’s own journey continued to evolve. After receiving several job opportunities, he chose the Indian Air Force, which became another major turning point. His performances improved significantly after 2016–17, and he began consistently winning medals at the national level.

Then came the record he had spent years chasing.

Reflecting on his race in Dubai, Afsal calls it the happiest moment of his life.

“It was the most happiest moment in my life. I was targeting this national record for many years.”

His wife has seen the discipline required to reach that level up close, from training to maintaining a strict sleep schedule.

“He’s always in his training. And then his sleep schedule, it has to be proper,” she says. “I always tell myself that it’s for a very little time. And all I can do is support him.”

She wanted only one thing from him: “I just wanted him to give his 100% into it. And believe in himself.”

Coach Ajith Markose became another crucial influence in Afsal’s rise. Afsal credits their association with giving him the belief that the national record was within reach.

“I was thinking I can do it… and after coming with Ajith sir, I believed I can do it.”

His association with Reliance Foundation added another important chapter. After joining in 2021, Afsal went on to win a National Games medal with a record in 2022, an Asian Games medal in 2023, become national champion in 2024 and break the national record twice in 2025.

“Reliance’s help is a huge thing for me,” Afsal says. “It’s a huge blessing for me. I am very thankful to Reliance.”

But despite everything he has achieved, Afsal's focus remains firmly on what comes next. The 800m is unpredictable, and he knows that no race can be scripted.

“It’s all about tactics. We can’t predict how the race will go. It’s all about the day.”

For Haseena, however, the belief remains unwavering.

“Definitely, hard work will pay off. That much effort he is putting for his sport. That means this time he will win gold for sure.”
And for the athlete who once struggled to embrace training, there is only one promise to himself

“I will definitely try for that.”