One of India's most illustrious track and field athletes, Anju said she was “truly humbled and honoured to be awarded Woman of the Year by World Athletics”. “A constant voice for gender equality in her role as senior vice president of the Indian Athletics Federation, Bobby George also mentors schoolgirls for future leadership positions within the sport,” the release said.
In 2016, she opened a training academy for young girls, which has already helped to produce a world U-20 medallist,” World Athletics said in a release. “The former international long jump star from India is still actively involved in the sport. Usha was honoured by the world athletics body with the Veteran Pin in 2019, in recognition of her contribution to the growth of sport.įrom 2014 to 2018, a similar honour called 'Women in Athletics Award'-which recognised outstanding achievements and contributions made to develop, encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls at all levels of the sport-was given. Anju is the second recipient of the prestigious award, which was started in 2019, after Ethiopia's double Olympic champion Derartu Tulu.
The award is given to recognise a woman who has dedicated her life to the sport of athletics. The 44-year-old Anju, the only Indian to have won a medal in the World Championships with a long jump bronze in the 2003 edition, was named for the award in the world body's annual awards night held virtually on Wednesday. Legendary Indian long jumper Anju Bobby George has been bestowed with the ‘Woman of the Year’ award by World Athletics for grooming talent in the country and advocating gender equality.