Meet the SHEROES - Anjali Shah

Anjali was advised to walk in water after she had a slip disk at the age of 45. She decided to learn swimming and since then there has been no looking back for her. She won 5 medals at 16^th State Level Master’s Aquatic championship. All her achievements in India took her FINA championship this year. SHEROES talk to the queen of water- 

Tell us about yourself. 

I am a 58 years old athlete settled in Nagpur, India. I had a keen interest in sports since my schooldays. I took up swimming at the age of 48.  Besides swimming, I also assist my husband in his business. I am also a "Yogabhyasi" doing regular Yoga. I have a masters degree in Astrology, and actively participate in seminars/events held in my University (Kavi Kulguru Kalidasa University). 

What inspired you to take up a sport like swimming at this age?

At the age of 45, already nursing a slip disc, I suffered another accident that injured my knees in early 2000's. The doctors advised me to walk in water. I decided to join a swimming club. The process that started as a treatment soon turned into a hobby and that's when I started taking the sport seriously. Instead of being afraid I started playing in water. Once I recovered from my knee injury, I decided to continue and learn swimming. 

Were there any challenges that you faced? What were they?

Since I started to swim as a treatment, I did not have a coach to teach me how to swim. I learned all the strokes to perfection by myself with the help of TV/internet. It was my love with the sport that led me to win 5 medals on state, one gold medal on national and a consolation medal on international level.

Diving was even a bigger challenge. I weigh 85 kgs and it was a challenge for me to jump and dive. I loved the challenge and decided to take part in diving as well for the national and international level championship. I did not even know how to stand on the spring board and the national championship was in 20 days. My passion helped me to learn and win gold medal on national level beating a 14 year national champion and win 6th position on international level.

Swimming is not huge in India, but there is no dearth of talent. How do you think more girls can be motivated to take part in the swimming tournaments?

 Yes, swimming is NOT huge in India, but I did not let that effect me, and no one else should. I believe there is no age limit or physical limitation to follow your passion. Once I fell in love with swimming there was no looking back. 

I learned diving as well and out of 90 countries who participated in FINA championship, I was the ONLY person who took part in both swimming and diving. It was a matter of great pride for me as an Indian.Every person in the arena knew me by my name and my country because of this. I hope swimming becomes a major sport in India soon.Swimming is the best exercise to not only overcome the physical disabilities but also to keep one’s body and soul in perfect order.

 A message to all the SHEROES out there.

I would like to congratulate all the SHEROES out there for their achievements. It is overwhelming to see the women of our nation at such great heights.We must believe that we all are gifted with something, and this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.