The gold medallist Olympian, Anju Bobby George, has made a wonderful revelation that she achieved all her sporting success with a single functional kidney, despite having a family history of allergy to medicines. She made history by winning the bronze medal in long jump with a jump of 6.70 m at the World Championships in Athletics in 2003 in Paris and became the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal in a world championship in athletics. Her revelation makes her achievements all the more remarkable. She gives the credit for her success to her husband and coach Robert Bobby George, a former national champion in triple jump. Robert gave up his career as a mechanical engineer and became a full-time coach to Anju in 1998. Anju’s spirit is an inspiration to all those who want to achieve something in life despite physical problems.
Her Achievements Anju Bobby George won the title of the Sports Woman of the Year in 2004 and 2005 in the Hero Sports Academy Awards. She received the Jimmy George Award in 2004, and won a bronze medal in long jump at the IAAF World Championship of 2003, held in Paris. She was honoured with a bronze medal at the Manchester Commonwealth Games of 2002, and received the Arjuna Award in 2002. She bagged a gold medal in long jump at the Asian Games of 2002. She was conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2003. She received the Padma Shri award in 2004 for her sincere efforts in sports, and won a gold medal at the IAAF World Athletics Final in 2005, and another gold in 2005 in Asian Championship. She won silver in Asian Games in Doha, and another in 2007 in Asian Championships.
Anju Bobby George was born on April 19, 1977 in Cheeranchira Kochuparambil family in Changanasseri.