47.4, 46.8, 45.8: Mohammed Ashfaq says Race Against Clock Biggest Driving Factor, seeks Asian Games Glory | Exclusive

For Mohammed Ashfaq, the road to becoming one of India's most promising young 400m runners did not begin inside a sophisticated athletics programme or with a lifelong dream of becoming a champion. It began rather simply, with an ordinary student discovering sport almost by chance.

Today, the 18-year-old Kerala runner is an Indian U20 national record holder, an emerging senior-level prospect and a young athlete with his eyes firmly set on bigger challenges, including the Asian Games.

Ashfaq spoke to MyKhel in an exclusive chat on the sidelines of the World Championships Continental Silver Meet in Bhubaneswar, reflecting on his rapid rise, his humble beginnings, the people who helped shape his career and the ambitions that now drive him.

From Kaipamangalam to the Athletics track

Ashfaq hails from Kaipamangalam in Kerala, and his entry into athletics was almost accidental.

"I was an ordinary student. Then I joined a sports school through a member of a panchayat," Ashfaq recalled.

It was actually a friend of his father who helped him discover the sports school.

"I got to know about a sports school through a member of a panchayat. I got selected there. I started playing sports from there."

That decision would eventually change the course of his life. Ashfaq says he initially knew very little about athletics. But once he entered the sporting environment, his understanding of the discipline and his own potential began to grow. He had to move away from Thrissur, as he travelled to Thiruvananthapuram for training under KS Ajimon at the G.V. Raja School.

"I didn't know much about sports. But when I went there, I got to know a lot about sports. I was able to perform well under KS Ajimon Sir."

The journey was also supported by his family, who had modest beginnings. His father was involved in a business selling tamarind seeds, while his mother also helped in their business. But parents were always a rock behind Ashfaq and helped their son in every way.

The race that changed everything

Ashfaq's breakthrough at the U20 level gave him something more valuable than a medal, belief. Looking back at his record-breaking performance, he remembers the conditions being almost perfect. The Kerala runner clocked 45.81 sec in his 400-metre run, creating a national record at the event.

"It was very good to break the national record. I didn't expect it at all. The track was good, the climate was good, everything was positive."

That performance has now placed him firmly on the radar as he transitions towards senior athletics. The jump from junior to senior competition, however, is not something Ashfaq is taking lightly.

"I want to do better than what I have done so far. I want to improve step by step. I want to play step by step without any injuries. I will get an advantage if I play with them. I play with the seniors. I am obeying whatever my coach says."

For a young 400m runner, competing alongside established senior athletes can be invaluable. The pace, race management and experience can all accelerate development. Ashfaq understands that.

'Hard work leads to good results'

The youngster is equally clear about what he believes will take him to the next level. Hard work. Asked about the support he receives from his coach, Ashfaq was emphatic.

"Yes, the coach's support is good. It is hard to satisf coach's aspirations. But I want to do hard work. Hard work leads to good results."

That mentality could become particularly important as he moves into a more demanding phase of his career.

At the 2026 National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, Ashfaq competed against India's leading senior 400m runners and clocked 46.42 seconds in the final, while the leading athletes were already running in the 45-second range.

Asian Games Hopes

That experience is precisely the kind of exposure Ashfaq believes will help him bridge the gap between junior and senior athletics. And he says the gradual decrease in time has been his driving factor. From 47+ seconds to 45.81, every millisecond has been a boon in his journey. And as he takes the track in the Asian Games, Ashfaq wants to put up a strong show.

"I am a junior. I will get an advantage if I play with the seniors. We will be looking to win gold medal."

The Driving Factor

Perhaps the most revealing part of the conversation came when Ashfaq was asked when he first realised he could become a serious athlete. His answer goes back to the early days of his career.

"When I started, I didn't have an idea. But as the timings kept on decreasing 47.4, 46.8, 46.5 - I kept on believing myself that I belong here, and I realized that I can do a little more."

That sentence may ultimately prove to be the most important one in Ashfaq's story. Because the national record did not arrive as the culmination of a childhood dream. It emerged from a young athlete gradually discovering his own ability, and then deciding that he could go further.

A record is only the beginning

He has already shown that he can compete internationally and against senior opposition. His growing experience at senior level will now be crucial as he looks to make the transition successfully. And now, as he prepares for the next phase, the focus is no longer simply on breaking records. It is about becoming a complete senior athlete.

For Ashfaq, the formula remains to learn and implement. His journey from Kaipamangalam has been phenomenal, but it has only just begun.