India’s legendary athlete Anju Bobby George has been named the Woman of the Year award by World Athletics for her work on cultivating talent and advocating for gender equality in the country. Anju, the only Indian to win a medal in the World Championship (Paris 2003), was selected for the honour during the annual awards.
World Athletics said in a release, “India’s former international long jump player Anju Bobby George continues to be associated with the sport. She opened a training academy for young girls in 2016, which has resulted in a World Under 20 medalist.”
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It said, “As Senior Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India, she has been a constant advocate of gender equality. She is also guiding the school girls for their future leadership in sports.
Anju Bobby George became an athlete at the age of 5
Anju Bobby George was born on 19 April 1977 in the town of Chiranchira in the Kottayam district of Kerala. He started participating in athletics competitions from the age of 5. Anju used to play games like long jump, high jump, 100-meter running and heptathlon in school. Anju considered PT Usha, the flying fairy of India, as her role model.
Despite having one kidney, she became an athlete
Let us tell you that last year Anju had made a tweet in which she wrote that, ‘They are very lucky. I reached the world stage with a single kidney, drug allergy, one leg problem. There were many limitations, even then. I achieved success. Can we call it the magic of the coach or his talent?
On receiving this honour by World Athletics, Anju tweeted that she is proud and overwhelmed to receive this honour. He tweeted and wrote, ‘There is nothing better feeling than waking up in the morning and doing something for the game. Thank you for appreciating my efforts.
It is worth noting that Anju, who hails from Kerala, won a bronze medal at the IAAF World Championships in Paris in 2003 and was a gold medalist at the 2005 IAAF World Athletics Finals in Monaco. She had finished sixth at the 2004 Athens Olympics but dropped to fifth after the US’s Marianne Jones was disqualified for doping.
What did World athletics say about Anju Bobby George?
World Athletics said in a release, “India’s former international long jump player Anju Bobby George continues to be associated with the sport. She opened a training academy for young girls in 2016, which has resulted in a World Under 20 medalist.”
At what age, Anju Bobby George become an athlete?
Anju Bobby George became an athlete at the age of 5.
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