Father’s support powers quarter-miler Dharmveer Choudhary to national spotlight

Dharmveer Choudhary started running with a dream. It wasn't to become a professional athlete, but rather to fulfil the goal of joining the Indian army.

But fate had other plans for the 25-year-old from Tonk near Jaipur in Rajasthan. He could never make it to the army; sometimes losing on merit, sometimes on medical grounds.

It was only after his army dreams lay shattered that Choudhary shifted his goal post to become an athlete.

Last week at the India Open Athletics Series in Delhi, Choudhary was finally vindicated. He clocked a personal best 45.93s in men's 400m, becoming one of the six athletes to have dipped below 46s in 2026 in what has been a bumper start to the season for Indian quarter-milers.

Choudhary achieved the mark, despite struggling with an allergy on the eve of the competition. He had his father, Badrilal, a truck driver, watching him from the stands for the first time.

In fact, it was a double delight as he also clocked a personal best 21.03s in the men's 200m in front of his father.

"I struggled with a nose allergy last night, but couldn't withdraw from the meet because my father had travelled to watch me compete for the first time," an emotional Choudhary told The Bridge after his run.

"No one has been more supportive of my career than my father. Whenever I feel low, I speak to him, and it motivates me again," he added.

There were enough detractors when Choudhary decided to go all-in as an athlete but with his father by his side, he has now firmly placed Tonk on the Indian athletics' map.

"I was never scared of anyone," Badrilal told this publication.

"If I trust my son, I don't need to be afraid of his dreams. And now he is delivering the results," he added.

Much before his personal best runs in Delhi, Choudhary was eventually inducted into the Indian army as a Havildar, thanks to his medal-winning performances in state and national-level meets.

The Inspiration

Choudhary is now dreaming big. Firmly placed among the best quarter-milers in India currently, he now wants to run faster aided by the rising domestic competition.

"Earlier I used to think that if others did well it would hurt my chances," he said. "But now I've realised that if the competition rises, my timings will also improve."

The national record run by the Indian men's 4x400m relay team comprising Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammad Ajmal, and Rajesh Ramesh at the World Athletics Championships in 2023 served Choudhary a good dose of motivation.

"That race from my seniors was not only inspiring for us but also lifted the standard of Indian track and field to the next level, proving that Indians can also fight the world's best athletes," he shared.

Now a part of the Indian contingent heading to the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Botswana next month, Choudhary enjoys the strong camaraderie in the team.

"Whenever I talk to them, they are all very supportive. When I entered this meet Amoj bhaiyya told me 'don't worry, you will run in 45 seconds', which surely boosted my confidence," he said.

As Indian athletics look to reattain the past glory after a few lean years, Dharmveer Choudhary has emerged as a hot prospect to lead them there.