https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

More Than Public Servants, IAS Duo Completes Ironman

“We trained together, participated in marathons, and nurtured a shared ambition for endurance sports, culminating in multiple Inter-IIT competitions where we helped our team achieve significant victories,” Mr. Gopal shared. 
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a remarkable display of endurance, commitment, and friendship, two IAS officers, Abhinav Gopal and Deepak Karwa, recently completed the Ironman Tallinn in August 2024, a feat that tests physical and mental limits through a combination of a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a full marathon (42.2 km) in Estonia’s scenic capital.

IAS Abhinav Gopal (Left) and IAS Deepak Karwa (Right)
IAS Abhinav Gopal (Left) and IAS Deepak Karwa (Right)

What makes this achievement even more special is that both officers share a long history, dating back to their days at IIT Madras, where their passion for sports, particularly swimming and endurance events, began. Their journey, however, didn’t just start in the office but in the swimming pools and training fields of their college years. Together, they not only pursued their dreams of becoming civil servants but also maintained their athletic passion, proving that balancing a demanding career with fitness is achievable. In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, both IAS Abhinav Gopal and Deepak Karwa shared their journey. 

Childhood Beginnings and the Spark of Endurance

For IAS officer Abhinav Gopal, currently serving as the Chief Development Officer of Ghaziabad, his fitness journey began in childhood. As a swimmer since the age of 5, his passion for the sport was instilled early, competing in district and state-level championships. His love for the water followed him to IIT Madras, where he represented his institute in water polo and swimming events. He also won the institute’s annual triathlon twice during his first and final year. 

IAS Abhinav Gopal
IAS Abhinav Gopal

Deepak Karwa, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kaithal, shared a similar story. His initial interest in swimming came from a childhood desire to become fit and grow taller. Over time, swimming turned from a casual pursuit into a passion, especially during his days at IIT Madras, where, like Mr. Gopal, he represented the institute in aquatics and water polo. “We trained together, participated in marathons, and nurtured a shared ambition for endurance sports, culminating in multiple Inter-IIT competitions where we helped our team achieve significant victories,” Mr. Gopal shared. 

IAS Deepak Karwa
IAS Deepak Karwa

The Ironman Dream

The turning point came in 2011 when Mr. Gopal participated in India’s first half Ironman, organized by the Chennai Trekking Club, which ignited his interest in triathlons. The Ironman bug had bitten both Abhinav and Deepak, and it was only a matter of time before they embarked on a full-fledged pursuit of this massive challenge. 

After completing their engineering degrees and clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination, they found themselves in the rigorous world of public administration. However, their passion for fitness never waned. They signed up for their first Half Ironman in Goa in 2022, which only strengthened their resolve to push for the full Ironman in Tallinn.

IAS Abhinav Gopal
IAS Abhinav Gopal

Juggling IAS Duties and Ironman Training

The life of an IAS officer is demanding, with daily schedules often stretching well beyond regular office hours. Yet, both exemplified discipline and dedication by carving out time for training amidst their busy routines.

Mr. Gopal’s training primarily took place in the early mornings, starting as early as 4 AM. “The most challenging part was cycling for 180 kilometers,” he says, emphasizing the sheer number of hours required for training, particularly for the biking segment. To adapt, Abhinav often used an indoor trainer and reserved weekends for long outdoor rides, covering distances between 120-140 kilometers. The duo also faced the added challenge of limited open-water swim practice, given the constraints of their official postings in Faridabad and Kaithal.

Mr. Karwa, on the other hand, had to balance family responsibilities alongside his professional and athletic commitments. Supported by his family and spouse, Poonam, he followed a strict schedule, training early mornings and late nights after official duties. “The support from my family was critical in allowing me to pursue this goal,” says Mr Karwa, reflecting on the sacrifices made to strike a balance between work, family, and fitness.

Both officers followed a structured training plan. Their training schedules were shared in a group chat where they held each other accountable. “The peer group motivation was a key factor in keeping us on track,” Mr. Karwa adds. 

Crossing the Finish Line Together

On the race day in Tallinn, Mr. Gopal and Mr. Karwa finally realized their long-held dream. Despite having different finishing times—Mr. Gopal completed the race an hour ahead of Mr. Karwa—the two reunited at the finish line, celebrating a moment of immense satisfaction. “United we stand, divided we fall,” says Mr. Karwa, describing how they motivated each other throughout the race.

Promoting Sports and Fitness

Both the officers see their Ironman achievement as more than just a personal milestone. Their goal is to inspire others to pursue endurance sports and stay active, even in high-pressure careers. As civil servants, they are uniquely positioned to contribute to the Fit India Movement, promoting physical fitness and improving sports infrastructure.

IAS Abhinav Gopal
IAS Abhinav Gopal

“We aim to bring sports and fitness into mainstream society,” says Mr. Karwa, adding that their future plans include participating in marathons, triathlons, and swimming events like the Tata Mumbai Marathon and a 10-kilometer swim in Goa. They are also eyeing the prestigious London Marathon and even plan to tackle another Ironman in 2026.

Beyond personal fitness, both officers are committed to promoting sports infrastructure in India, ensuring that young athletes, especially in regions like Ghaziabad and Kaithal, have access to proper facilities, training, and support.

The Athlete in All of Us

Abhinav Gopal and Deepak Karwa’s journey from IIT Madras classmates to Ironman finishers showcases the power of perseverance, friendship, and balancing professional duties with personal passion. “There’s an athlete in all of us,” Abhinav reflects, urging others to find their passion and dedicate time to it, no matter how busy life gets.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
pratay-amrit p
Bihar Cabinet Clears Key Infrastructure & Welfare Projects: Airports, Five-Star Hotel, MSP for Pulses & More
Bhupendra Patel CM Gujarat
Gujarat: CM Bhupendra Patel Launches ‘Yojana Panchakam’, Rolls Out 5 Major Initiatives to Promote Sanskrit Across State
Uttar Pradesh govt
Uttar Pradesh: Race Heats Up for Top Bureaucratic Post as Chief Secretary Singh’s Exit Looms - Who Will Take Charge?
JuteCorporationofIndiaLimited
From Cotton to Jute: Sanjay Kumar Panigrahi Selected as MD of The Jute Corporation of India - Know More!
Delhi High Court-resized-DelhiHC
Delhi HC Orders Madhya Pradesh to Release Pending Retirement Dues of Late IAS Officer Vinay Shukla - Know the Case Here
MP Tourism
Madhya Pradesh Sets New Tourism Record with Over 13.41 Crore Visitors in 2024, Emerges as Top Tourist Destination with 526% Growth Since 2020
NBCC
NBCC Bags ₹172.46 Crore Project to Build UCO Bank’s New Headquarters in Kolkata
Kedarnath Dham
Devotees Use Ambulances to Bypass Traffic on Way to Kedarnath, Caught by Uttarakhand Police
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s 27-Year Odyssey with Indian Railways | Exclusive Interview
Monika Singh
The Civil Servant Who Finds Peace in Poetry
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Ravinder Nandal IDES
IDES Ravinder Nandal's Story of Self-Made Success
Balancing fatherhood, full-time jobs, and six UPSC attempts, Ravinder Nandal’s story is one of perseverance,...
Shailendra Choudhary UPSC
Daily Routine, Optional, Essays & More | Shailendra Choudhary Breaks It Down
Shailendra Choudhary, AIR 362 in UPSC 2024, shares how focused preparation, self-made strategies, and...
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
pratay-amrit p
Bihar Cabinet Clears Key Infrastructure & Welfare Projects: Airports, Five-Star Hotel, MSP for Pulses & More
Bhupendra Patel CM Gujarat
Gujarat: CM Bhupendra Patel Launches ‘Yojana Panchakam’, Rolls Out 5 Major Initiatives to Promote Sanskrit Across State
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
Monika Singh
Monika Singh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT