Anju Bobby George, the renowned long jumper, was the first Indian to have won a medal at the World Athletics Championships with video of her bronze attempt viral
Anju Bobby George was India’s glory in sports. Specifically when it comes to the World Athletics Championships until Neeraj Chopra sent out the javelin soaring for a historic win at the Tokyo Olympics. George’s long jump performance earned her bronze at the 2003 World Championships, becoming India’s first and only competitor to reach the platform at the tournament.
When Anju Bobby George Won First World Athletics Championship Medal For India With Bronze In Long Jump, Video Goes Viral
The legendary Anju Bobby George still remains the first and the only Indian to ever win a medal at the World Athletics Championships.
Who do you think can add to the list this time around?#WCHOregon22 | #Athletics pic.twitter.com/EBf7ALW8VR
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) July 17, 2022
Somewhere between Anju Bobby George's๐ฅto Neeraj Chopra's๐ฅwe all grew up. ๐#WorldAthleticsChampionships | @neeraj_chopra1 | @anjubobbygeorg1 pic.twitter.com/p0983Ja0fv
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) July 24, 2022
Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 for that magic moment..N welcome to the group..it was a long wait.Thanks to @afiindia @Media_SAI @ianuragthakur for all the support . pic.twitter.com/31tLKjdV3V
— Anju Bobby George (@anjubobbygeorg1) July 24, 2022
Anju Bobby George Was The Only Indian Athlete To Win A Medal In The World Athletics Championships
There was a lot of intense preparation and Grand Prix tournaments in 2003 building up to the big one. Her instructors, who included her hubby Robert Bobby George, believed that this would educate her for the World. On the other hand, the player’s over-exertion made matters worse. “I was shattered. I was training for the world championships after losing out on the Olympics in Sydney, and I could hardly walk,” she said.
Details:
Anju, still unclear whether her world’s desire had come true, grabbed the bait and wandered about Paris like a visitor. Rest and rehabilitation were the athlete’s instructions of the day for two weeks. Coach Robert would still invite her to go running every now and again, which perplexed her even more.
It was only afterward that she realized this was all a ruse to delay her recuperation. As history has shown, her partner’s strategy worked like a charm. However, when it came to the finals, she had to overcome further obstacles in order to win the medal.
As luck would have it, Jade Johnson’s botched leap fulfilled George’s goal. She became India’s first competitor to earn a title at the championships.
At World Athletics’ annual award show last year, the Senior Vice-President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) earned the ‘Woman of the Year honor. George was picked for the award because of her attempts to advance talent in India as well as her support for gender equality.