Source :
Bihar Athletics, Athletics Federation Of India, LinkedIn
Atul Anand’s story isn’t just one of medals or milestones. It’s a story of belief—quiet, steady, and unwavering. While he holds the distinction of being a national-level sprinter and the only full-time corporate IT professional in India to qualify for the Nationals, he remains grounded. “Honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started,” he says.
Hailing from Patna, Bihar, Atul’s early exposure to athletics came with its own challenges. “Back in school, there was no synthetic track. Infrastructure was minimal. In a city like Patna, sports wasn’t a serious path—at least not in the way it was in more developed states. I told myself: maybe if I study well, get a job, I’ll one day be able to afford to pursue this properly.”
In just 10 months at WWT, Atul has already been recognised with two prestigious awards: the Top Producer Award and the Passion and Ethics Award—a rare feat that reflects his dedication and work ethic beyond the track.
He did just that. After graduating in engineering with distinction, Atul began his career at Larsen & Toubro, spending five valuable years building his foundation. Today, he works as a System Solutions Architect at World Wide Technology—one of the top global IT firms—while independently funding his training, physiotherapy, travel, and everything in between.
His days are packed: nine hours of high-performance corporate work, followed by six hours of training. Yet, ask him about his achievements, and he brushes them off with humility. “I’m not running to compete with anyone else. I run for myself. For the kid I used to be—the one who never thought this life was possible.”
Since 2021, Atul has consistently reached the podium at the State Championships, won gold and silver in sprint events, and was awarded the Overall Champion and Best Athlete titles for his state. In 2023, he broke the sub-11 second mark in the 100m—a major milestone for Indian sprinters.
And yet, he sees every race as a checkpoint, not a destination. “Everyone’s starting line is different. I don’t compare my path to others—I compare it to where I started. That’s the progress I’m proud of.”
Alongside sport and work, Atul mentors younger athletes, keeps a positive training environment wherever he goes, and is quietly building two startup ventures that he hopes to announce when the time is right.
If there’s one thing he wants people to take from his journey, it’s this: “You don’t have to choose between your passion and your profession. You can build both. And this—this is just the beginning”Follow his journey on insta @justanotherwizard_
