Anju: I succeeded despite severe health issues
OLYMPIAN Anju Bobby George, who secured a historic bronze medal for India in the 2003 World Athletics Championship in Paris, on Monday (7) said she achieved success and reached the top despite having a single kidney.
In a tweet, the ace athlete, who also won a gold medal in the IAAF World Athletics Finals in 2005, said she had many limitations, including being allergic to even a painkiller, but still made it.
“Believe it or not, I’m one of the fortunate, among very few who reached the world top with a single KIDNEY, allergic with even a painkiller, with a dead take-off leg... Many limitations...still made it.
“Can we call, magic of a coach or his talent,” Anju tweeted.
Her career blossomed under the coaching of her husband Robert Bobby George.
Anju said she chose the pandemic season to make this revelation to “motivate” athletes from the current generation, who are missing their practice and competitions due to the spread of the coronavirus.
“The general perception is that I have a perfect body. But the fact is I achieved success in my field by overcoming all difficulties.
“I hope that sharing my experience will help motivate all aspiring sportspersons,” she told reporters.
Anju said doctors in Germany had advised her six months rest just 20 days ahead of the 2003 championship in Paris after she said she complained of fatigue.
“It was just 20 days ahead of the Paris World Athletics Championship. I overcame all the issues and won a medal in Paris,” she said.
Anju found out that she had a single kidney during an overall health check-up in Bangalore in 2001 due to health issues before starting her international career.
“It was shocking news for me. But Bobby (husband) motivated me to continue my career and achieve success. He even offered his kidney if I faced any problem”, she said.
The star athelete said she was now mature enough to handle the situation that was brought about by her health issues.
“If I had gone public with my health then, the situation would have been different,” she said.