Two autumns ago, India’s rising quarter-miler and two-time World U20 medallist in the 4x400m mixed relay, Priya Mohan, faced the toughest test of her young career. The Bengaluru athlete collapsed mid-race, gasping for breath — a frightening episode that doctors later diagnosed as pneumothorax (collapsed lungs).
She spent several days in the ICU, her athletic future uncertain.
I couldn’t breathe properly; it was terrifying. What once seemed like a routine training day suddenly turned into a fight for her career — and life.
Fast forward to 2024: Priya, now 22, made a triumphant return at the 64th National Open Athletics Championships in Ranchi (Sept 27–30), clinching bronze in the women’s 400m with a season-best 54.04 seconds.
I’m feeling good to be back in the reckoning. I’m enjoying racing again. Her personal best remains 52.37 seconds, set in 2022.
Mental Agony and Emotional Strain
The comeback was anything but easy. The period following her diagnosis in 2023 was marked by mental agony, self-doubt, and thoughts of quitting athletics altogether.
It was an uncertain time. I didn’t know if I’d ever race again. Family support and a new coaching setup at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka, helped her gradually recover.
Priya now acknowledges that her health struggles had as much to do with her emotional and psychological state as with physical exhaustion. “There was no one to guide me then. I was too young to handle the pressure of competitive sports,” she says. “Honestly, I wilted under pressure and landed in the ICU.”
A Rift with Her Former Coach
In early 2023, Priya parted ways with her long-time coach, Arjun Ajay, under whom she had first flourished. While she made early progress under him, she describes that period as emotionally draining.
I was confused because my coach didn’t allow me to speak to friends or study. It was just training, no life beyond that. I had faith in him but he betrayed my trust.”
Ajay, however, denied any wrongdoing, saying, “Differences cropped up when another junior athlete started performing better than Priya. Her allegations weren’t proven. We are not in touch anymore.”
Grassroots Gaps and Early Promise
Priya’s journey into athletics began through school sports, where a medal in the 100m sprint encouraged her family to let her pursue athletics — initially as a way to earn a sports quota seat in medicine. But medals at the World U20 Championships (2021 and 2022) changed everything.
The coaching ecosystem at the grassroots level isn’t strong. There’s a lack of proper guidance for young athletes.
By the time her family became aware of the conflict with her former coach, Priya had already suffered overtraining and injuries. “I was constantly under pressure to perform. When I couldn’t, I was ignored,” she says. “That’s when everything started falling apart.”
Rebuilding in Bellary
In 2024, Priya shifted base to Bellary, five hours from Bengaluru, joining coach Troy Douglas at the Inspire Institute of Sport. “It’s far better here — good facilities, positive environment,” she says.
Douglas started from scratch, focusing on rehab, biomechanics, and gradual workload. “We worked on patience and fundamentals,” Priya explains. Her season began with 100m and 200m races before returning to her main event, the 400m, by April.
She also underwent regular medical check-ups in Doha and the Netherlands to ensure she could withstand the training load post-recovery.
There were minor issues after pneumothorax, so treatment was essential to prevent any relapse.
Eyes on 2026: Commonwealth & Asian Games
Now, Priya’s attention is firmly on the 2026 season, which includes the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the Asian Games in Japan.
A solid preparatory season between November and February will determine how well I perform in 2026.
Her goal: to dip below 52 seconds, a mark that would strengthen her case for national team selection.
“I know 2026 will be challenging, but the progress made under my new coaching team has given me huge confidence,” she says with quiet determination.
