Anu Rani gearing up for a medal at senior level

Talking about her achievements Anu said,“I won a gold in the 26th National Junior Athletics Championships held at Bangalore last year,a gold in the at the All India Inter University Championships with an effort of 47.80m besides a gold at the 55th National School Games held at Amritsar in 2009. In the national Federation Cup Junior Athletics Championships held at Visakhapatnam last year I won a gold (representing Delhi) with an effort of 46.87m. In the North Zone junior athletics championships held at Lucknow this month,I managed to win a gold. I want to work hard and do my country proud at the international level.”

Talking about her only exposure at the international level so far,Anu said,“I participated in the Asian Junior Athletics Championships held at Vietnam last year in which I occupied the sixth spot. I still feel sad about not being able to participate in the Commonwealth Games 2010 as I stood fourth in the qualification tournament for the same due to fever. I really want to do India proud in the international arena.”

When asked about the role of the UP Athletics Association (UPAA) in promotion of athletics,Anu said. “I have not received anything apart from medals and certificates till now be it proper coaching arrangements or a good diet. I practised at an open space in my village from Deepak Yadav sir who has been a state level athlete. As my event requires a lot of strength so a nutritious diet is a must for me. With my father just being able to earn around Rs 70,000 a year from farming,he faced problems in ensuring a good diet. But now I am in the senior national camp so I do not have to worry about my diet and training.”

Amar Pal Singh accompanied her even during the North Zone junior athletics championships held at Sports College,Lucknow recently . Singh said,“I am proud of my daughter. I am just waiting for the day when Anu does the country proud at the international level.”