Tamil Nadu's Javelin Star Dharanidharan Rises from Adversity to International Contention
From a village in Thanjavur district to the national athletics circuit, T Dharanidharan's journey is a testament to resilience and dedication. The 18-year-old javelin thrower from Tamil Nadu has transformed his life, moving from a period where he could barely afford shoes to now eyeing a spot at the World Athletics U-20 Championships.
A Meteoric Rise in the Sport
Over the past three years, Dharanidharan has demonstrated remarkable consistency, securing multiple medals and shattering records in state-level competitions. His recent performance at the Indian Open Throws meet in Patiala marked a significant milestone. In only his second U-20 level event, he achieved a best throw of 71.31 meters, finishing third and surpassing the World Athletics U-20 Championships qualifying standard of 68.50 meters.
This achievement places him among the elite junior athletes in India, though the path to the Worlds remains competitive. Only two athletes per country can qualify for the U-20 Worlds in a single event, with the Junior Federation Cup in April serving as the final selection trial.
The Foundation: Family, Coach, and Community Support
Dharanidharan's athletic journey began alongside his elder brother, T Kanishkar, another promising javelin thrower, in Pappanadu village under the guidance of coach Manikandan. "I have been training under Manikandan sir for the last five years. He left his physical education job to train us," Dharanidharan shared from Patiala. "The journey has been tough as we had to borrow money from our neighbours to travel for competitions. But I feel happy to have reached this level now and hope to qualify for the U-20 Worlds, which will be huge."
Coach Manikandan, who previously worked as a cricket coach at a CBSE school in Kumbakonam, made a significant sacrifice by leaving his job to focus on training students at the Pappanadu government school. He has shouldered many of his athletes' expenses, with additional financial support coming from Kumaran, an Indian resident in America.
Overcoming Challenges with Minimal Resources
In an age dominated by digital distractions, Dharanidharan and his fellow trainees lead a disciplined life focused solely on their sport. Dharanidharan does not own a smartphone, using only a basic phone to avoid the pitfalls of social media. "I don't give smartphones to any of my students as I want them to focus on their training and keep away from social media," Manikandan explained.
The coach detailed the early struggles: "Initially Dharanidharan started with pole vault but that did not work out. Then I wanted him to focus on javelin throw as he was tall (182cm). Until last year, he did not have a good shoe and because of that he got injured in a meet." In one instance, Dharanidharan's brother Kanishkar broke a record using spikes borrowed from a friend during a competition in Coimbatore.
Recent Sponsorship and Future Aspirations
A turning point came in November 2024 when the Alagappa Group of Education stepped in to support the athletes. They now train at the group's academy in Karaikudi, which covers all their needs. "They are looking after all our needs and in the past year it has been easy for us to compete, which was not the case earlier," Manikandan noted. However, challenges persist, as they still train with low-quality javelins costing between 20,000 to 40,000 rupees, which are unsuitable for competitions, highlighting the ongoing need for sponsors.
Currently in his off-season, Dharanidharan has ample room for growth. "My aim for Dharanidharan is to get to the 76-77m range at the junior Federation. Technique wise he is very good and we need to concentrate on speed and block," Manikandan added, expressing optimism about his protégé's potential.
This story underscores not just athletic prowess but the power of community support and unwavering focus in the face of adversity, setting a inspiring example for aspiring athletes across India.
