Naib Subedar Ram Baboo of the Indian Army’s Sapta Shakti Command has made headlines by securing a bronze medal in the 35km race walk event at the Austrian Race Walking Championship in Innsbruck, which took place on June 9, 2025. Baboo finished the race with a personal best time of 2:41:47, further establishing his presence in the international athletics scene.
Originating from a humble background in Uttar Pradesh, Baboo’s journey to becoming an internationally recognized athlete is both inspiring and noteworthy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked as a daily-wage laborer but transformed his life through the structured sports development programs offered by the Indian Army. His bronze medal triumph in Austria complements his earlier contributions to India’s mixed racewalking team that clinched victory at the 2022 Asian Games. Baboo also boasts an impressive personal best of 2:29:56, achieved at the Dudinska 50 Meet in Slovakia in 2023.
Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Commander of the Sapta Shakti Command, praised Baboo’s resilience and credited the Indian Army for its steadfast support of sports excellence. His sentiments reflect the Army’s long-standing dedication to nurturing elite athletes through the Mission Olympics program.
Launched in 2001 and backed by institutions such as the Army Sports Institute in Pune, the Mission Olympics initiative has played a crucial role in training top-tier athletes across various disciplines, including athletics, boxing, and wrestling. With access to expert coaching and state-of-the-art facilities, the program has produced an impressive roster of Olympic-level talent, featuring athletes like Subedar Neeraj Chopra, Havildar Vijay Kumar, and Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Ram Baboo’s recent achievement not only highlights his individual commitment but also showcases the Indian Army’s essential role in enhancing India’s reputation in international sports. As the country gears up for future Olympic challenges, Baboo’s story stands as a testament to the potential of hard work coupled with institutional support to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
