Indian Jujitsu Athlete Rohini Kalam Dies at 35; Family Cites Job-Related Stress

International jujitsu athlete Rohini Kalam, who represented India at major global events including the Asian Games, was found dead at her home in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday. Police suspect that the 35-year-old died by suicide, and an investigation is now underway to establish what led to the tragic incident.

Rohini, who worked as a martial arts coach at a private school in Ashta, had returned home on Saturday. On Sunday morning, she followed her usual routine, having breakfast and speaking to someone on the phone before going to her room. When she did not respond for a long time, her younger sister Roshni Kalam checked on her and discovered her unresponsive. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. No suicide note was found at the scene, according to police.

At the time of the incident, the athlete’s parents were away — her mother visiting a temple and her father out on personal work. Her family, shocked and devastated by her death, has alleged that work-related stress and harassment at her school may have played a major role in her deteriorating mental state.

“She was constantly stressed about her job. The principal and some faculty members troubled her a lot. I could sense it in her phone conversations,” Roshni told the police.

Rohini, the eldest of five siblings, was known for her strong academic ambitions. Her father said she had aspirations of becoming an IPS officer and was also working towards earning the prestigious Vikram Award, though she had not been selected despite repeated attempts. She had undergone surgery for a stomach-related issue around five months ago, and her family said her health and confidence had declined since then.

Rohini began her sporting journey in 2007, eventually establishing herself as a leading name in Indian jujitsu. She turned professional in 2015 and represented India at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. She was the only Indian athlete selected for the World Games in Birmingham and secured medals at major competitions, including a bronze at the Thailand Open Grand Prix 2022 and another bronze at the 8th Asian Jujitsu Championship 2024 in Abu Dhabi. She also qualified for the Combat Games in Saudi Arabia.

Police have registered a case at the Bank Note Press police station and will question individuals involved in her workplace interactions as part of the inquiry. Post-mortem reports are awaited.

The sporting community is mourning the loss of a talented athlete whose achievements made the country proud. Her sudden death highlights growing concerns about mental health and workplace pressures faced by athletes and coaches in India.