Annu Rani, woman who made a golden javelin history, has a Ronaldo link
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Annu Rani creates history
Indian women's javelin ace Annu Rani, with her season-best throw, created history as she claimed India's 15th gold medal in the final in the ongoing Hangzhou Asian Games on October 3. Annu Rani is the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra, and the first Indian woman, who has won a gold medal in javelin throw at a world stage. Annu touched 62.92m, which was her season's best throw and topped the chart to win the country its 15th gold in the ongoing Asian Games. Her best throw of the evening came in her fourth attempt.
PTI
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Many achievements
Annu, who was born in Bahadarpur village in Uttar Pradesh into a family of farmers. She became the first Indian to compete in the women's javelin throw finals at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha. After falling short of the Olympic Qualification threshold, she qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics based on international rankings. (Image: Instagram/ Annu Rani)
Agencies
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Brother's contribution
According to the Olympics website, Annu's brother Upendra is his biggest supporter. "In fact, it was her brother, who first recognized her talent during a cricket match. He realized Rani had a strong throwing arm as she could hurl the ball easily while fielding at the boundary. Her brother was a long-distance runner himself and supported Rani in her initial journey."
PTI
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Against all odds
Upendra wanted Annu to take up javelin throw but her family, who had a conservative approach, were not in favour of their daughter becoming an athlete. However, with his support, she started training for the sport by hurling sugarcane stalks in empty fields. She had to cry and plead constantly to make her father allow her to pursue javelin. Annu soon began to succeed at the junior level. Her performances caught the attention of 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist-turned-coach Kashinath Naik, who took her under his wing.
Reuters
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The Ronaldo connection
According to Olympics website, Annu follows the training programs of Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Phelps. She takes inspiration from their discipline and life stories. During the Covid-19 lockdown that affected the Tokyo Olympics, she told India Today that she watched inspirational videos of Cristiano Ronaldo to keep herself motivated.
