Long jump champion Anju Bobby George has opened up about how she dealt with the shocking discovery that she had only one kidney, that too just 20 days before the World Athletic Championships in 2003. In a candid conversation with sports broadcaster Sreeduth S. Pillai for THE WEEK’s ‘Namaste Tokyo’ series, Anju talked about switching from heptathlon, finding a coach in husband, Bobby, competing with one kidney and training potential world-beaters.
Speaking about her medical condition, Anju spoke about the time when she started battling fatigue, health issues—which eventually led doctors to the diagnosis that she had only one kidney. “For athletes, anything regarding our health is very important. These kinds of things, we cannot even imagine…because we are fighting the best of the best in the world,” she said. She was contemplating quitting the Paris World Championships in 2003, but Bobby, stood by her and convinced her to participate. “He even told me that if anything was to go wrong, he would give me one of his kidneys.” This confidence powered Anju to script history that year—she clinched bronze—and became the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal in a world championship. Looking back at the historic win, she said that the human body can do wonders, and that we should not restrict our bodies.
Anju also spoke about the contributions of the Anju Bobby George Foundation, which was her husband’s dream, and how they wish to give back to society.
She shared a message for the Indian contingent in Tokyo: “Give your best performance. Ignore the distractions and focus on your game.”
Stay tuned for more videos from THE WEEK's 'Namaste Tokyo' series where we interact with some of India's Olympic greats—reliving their greatest moments, examining the present and analysing the future.