Barath Sridhar Interview
Q. In a race that lasts less than a minute, what’s going on inside your mind in those few seconds?
Honestly, during the race, my mind goes completely blank. We prepare with a lot of plans and strategies beforehand, but the moment the race starts, there’s no thinking, just pure instinct and execution.
That’s the beauty of the 400 meters, especially in the last 100 meters where it’s all about pushing through without overthinking. The only moment I’m conscious is in the starting blocks, where I think about God, my parents, and my faith in me.
Once the gun goes off, it’s just blank.
Q. Do you remember the exact moment you realized, “Okay, I can actually represent India”?
I realized it during the 2021 Junior Federation Cup, which was the selection trial for the Junior World Championships. Going in, I was only aiming for a top-six finish to make the relay team, especially since I was dealing with a severe ankle injury. I anyhow competed despite the doctor’s warning
But unexpectedly, I won gold again just like I had in my debut state, South Zone, and national meets that year. That’s when it really hit me that I could represent India.
Later, being part of the relay team and winning a medal at the junior World Championships made that moment even more special.
Q. What hurts more, the physical pain after a race or the disappointment of a bad performance?
Physical pain after a race is something we get used to. It’s part of training every day, and I know it will eventually fade. But the disappointment of a bad performance hurts much more. Unlike physical pain, that feeling stays with you for days, weeks, sometimes even longer.
That’s definitely the harder part to deal with.
Q. If we watched one of your races in slow motion, what small detail would we notice that most people miss?
If you watch my race in slow motion, you’ll notice a slight compensation in my left leg. After multiple ankle surgeries, it has become more restricted, so I tend to rely a bit more on my right leg. It’s a subtle adjustment, but it reflects the challenges I’ve been working through while continuing to train and compete.
Q. How do you deal with days when your body is ready but your mind isn’t?
On days when my mind isn’t ready, I remind myself of everything I’ve been through and how far I still have to go. I haven’t even reached halfway to where I want to be. That reminder pushes me to show up anyway. At the end of the day, it’s not about how you feel it’s about discipline and consistency.
Q. What’s one sacrifice you made that people don’t usually see behind your medals?
One sacrifice people don’t see is the time I lost to injuries. After the Junior World Championships, I went through three ankle surgeries between 2023 and 2025. Those years were incredibly tough physically, mentally, and even financially.
I couldn’t train or compete and had to watch others do what I love, just hoping things would get better. That phase was one of the hardest sacrifices behind my journey.
Q. Do you ever compete with your past self more than your current opponents?
I’ve always believed it’s me versus me. I don’t focus on my opponents or who’s running in the next lane. What matters to me is my timing whether I’ve done better than my previous race or my personal best. That’s what truly defines my performance
In many races, I don’t even remember who finished where. For me, it’s always about improving myself.
Q. What’s your pre-race ritual that you can’t skip, no matter what?
The one ritual I never skip is mentally grounding myself reminding myself of my confidence and everything I’ve worked for.
When I step onto the starting blocks, I think about my parents, their sacrifices, and my faith. That gives me a surge of energy like nothing else.
Q. How do you handle pressure when you’re not just running for yourself, but for India?
Handling pressure while representing India was one of the toughest moments of my career. During my first international competition, I was dealing with a severe ankle injury, and even doctors advised me not to compete. But I knew we had a strong chance to win a medal, so I chose to take that risk.
There was immense pressure not just because of the injury, but because I wasn’t running for myself anymore. I was running for the country, carrying the hopes of millions. I could feel that weight in the starting blocks. But at the same time, I had belief in myself. I trusted my preparation and gave everything I had.
Despite all the challenges, I performed well, and we went on to win a medal in the 4x400m relay at the World Championships. That experience taught me how to embrace pressure and turn it into motivation.
Q. What’s the toughest environment you’ve ever competed in, and how did it affect you?
One of the toughest environments I competed in was the Balkan Sprint and Relay Cup in Erzurum, Turkey, in 2022. I was dealing with a severe hamstring injury and hadn’t trained properly for weeks, so I didn’t even expect to compete. It came as a last-minute decision by my coach, which made it even more challenging mentally and physically.
I was in pain and unsure of how my body would respond, but once the race started, something just clicked—maybe adrenaline. I ran freely and ended up clocking my personal best of 46.86 seconds, which still stands today. That race taught me a lot about pushing through uncertainty and trusting myself, even in the toughest conditions.
Bio:
Barath Sridhar is an Indian sprinter specializing in the 400 meters, representing Team India in national and international competitions. He has competed at events like the World Athletics Under-20 Championships and has been part of relay teams that have achieved notable success. Known for his speed, discipline, and dedication, Barath continues to work towards excellence while making his mark in Indian athletics.
Interviewed by: Samruddhi Salunkhe
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