'I had a lot of self-doubt': J Gowthami’s dream comeback takes her to Asian Games

CHENNAI: In 2020, financial struggles pushed middle-distance runner J Gowthami away from the track. Six years later, she is set to fulfil her long-cherished dream of representing India.

After making her competitive return last year, the 27-year-old from Tamil Nadu produced her career-best timing of 2:04.17 to win the women’s 800m title at the Inter-State Athletics Championships, thereby achieving the Asian Games qualifying mark.“The hard work of my coach Jayachandran and my husband Sudhir is what has brought me to where I am today. I did not expect to win, but competing against elite runners like Pooja and Lili Das helped push my limits,” Gowthami, a Grade II constable in Tamil Nadu police, told TOI.Having quit athletics, Gowthami took up a few odd jobs before becoming a Grade II constable in 2023. At one stage, she had no intention of returning to the sport, but her husband, a former state medallist, persuaded her to give it a try, while encouragement from his former coach convinced her to make a comeback.“I had a lot of self-doubt and wondered whether I could match the standards of the current athletes. My coach told me that if I let fear get the better of me, I would not achieve anything.

He asked me to focus on my training, and the rest would take care of itself,” Gowthami added.Her return gathered momentum with a medal at the All India Police meet at the end of 2024, followed by her first professional race at the Indian Grand Prix in Ludhiana last year. This season, however, came with another hurdle. Gowthami had to forgo two months’ pay after missing police duty during the TN elections. Even though athletes, part of the state’s police team, are allowed to train throughout the season, they are called back for duty during emergencies and election periods.“It is very difficult not to train for two months, and I would have had to start from scratch. Financially, too, it was hard, as it cost me around Rs 20,000 to compete in Bhubaneswar. But overall, the police department has been supportive.”Gowthami’s coach believes that she can clock 2:02.00 and feels that such a performance could be enough to earn her a medal at the Asiad. Interestingly, the Games will be Gowthami’s first international competition. Along with Gowthami, Pooja and Lili Das breached the Asian Games qualifying mark. However, only two athletes per event can qualify for the Games. The official list will be announced after the conclusion of the Inter-State Championships.