New Delhi: India's female javelin athlete Anu Rani has broken the national record eight times. She broke the previous record in the Federation Cup in March. The athlete from Bahadurpur village in Meerut is the first woman athlete in the country to throw a throw above 60 meters. Three years ago, Anu Rani created history by reaching the Finals of World Athletics in Doha. There is a long tale of struggle behind Anu's success.

Born in a farmer's family, Anu never thought that throwing sugarcane in the fields as a child would be the first lesson of javelin throw. Initially, when we stepped forward in sports, people had to face the taunts. In the beginning, even training was conducted secretly. Seven years ago, when she demolished the national record for the first time at the Inter-State Championships in Lucknow, she did not look back. Anu says that there were a lot of difficulties during the corona period. Competitions were found less abroad. In the country, they lack the right partner to practice. She hopes to do better amid a tough challenge at the Olympics. The athlete, who won a bronze medal at the Asian Games, threw a throw of 62.83 m in inter-state athletics last month, but could not achieve the 64m Olympic qualifying mark. She got a chance to participate in the Olympics with the 18th ranking at Road to Tokyo.

Anu says that initially there were a lot of financial problems for training. There were no expensive sports shoes to buy spears. She practiced wearing his brother's big shoes, even though they did not fit. The brother recognized his talent. Initially, bamboo was made into a spear and thrown away. When she got encouragement from his father, she began to dream. The family has contributed greatly to their success, says Anu. Anu, 'I remember when the father borrowed money from friends several times for training expenses. I was determined to do something. Everyone's hard work and struggle should not go waste.'' Anu, 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Asian Championships 2017 Bhubaneswar Bronze, 2019 Asian Championships Silver Medal, 2016 SAARC Games Guwahati Silver Medal.

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