Salute Anju Bobby George

Sport is about blood, sweat and tears.

Cliched as it may sound, there are exceptions as well. On Monday, long jump queen Anju Bobby George, 43, caused a mini flutter on Twitter when spoke about how she has lived with just one kidney all her life and still performed.

The cherubic lady based in Bengaluru, who attained stardom by winning bronze medal at the World Championship in 2003 spoke of how her husband and coach Bobby George had been her biggest source of motivation.

“I got to know very late in my athletics career I was born with one kidney. I have no qualms about admitting it was in 2003 I made it big through the international Grand Prixs. However, just before the World Championship, I was in bad shape. I had distress, pain and swelling. My husband motivated me. He told me let us go to Paris and see. Today, I am speaking about this to let the world know how much he (Bobby) has motivated me and stood by me,” Anju told this writer.

In fact, Anju was laughing when asked many questions on her one kidney. “Today I am talking about it as people will not mock me that I have only one kidney.! Maybe, then, in 2003, I would have been emotionally stressed how to deal with it while talking to the world. Today, I am hoping people realise how hurdles can be overcome,” said an emotional Anju.

To be sure she spoke of pain, nausea, bloating, gaining weight and yet not touching medication. “I was in Germany before the World Championship. The doctors told me to forget training for six months. But Bobby was not going to let me give up. He kept saying let us try and what happened in France in 2003 seems unbelievable,” said Anju.

She competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics  and was unable to win a medal. Yet, when she talks of her journey, it is one of being thankful to the man who supported her selflessly.

So, how did Anju Bobby George handle pregnancy?

“I had problems, I gained weight, was around 100kg. There was bloating and so many other related issues. I kept my faith and am glad can share this story with you today,” said Anju.

Blood, sweat and tears, did you say?

Well, had it been any other average Indian athlete, he or she may have junked sport and decided to lead a conservative life. Not Anju, whose latest tweet is bound to inspire many Indians at home in sport at large.

Who knows, in the coming years, we may have another Anju. That is what she is striving for in her own academy!