Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Born on 28 August 1992 in Bahadurpur, a small village near Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Annu Rani grew up in a traditional Jat farming family. Her brother, Upendra, noticed her exceptional arm strength while playing cricket. With no access to professional sports gear, Annu trained by throwing sugarcane sticks and bamboo rods in the fields—early signs of the javelin queen she would become.
Read more about Inspiring Women Athletes of India.
Breaking into Athletics
In 2010, at the age of 18, Annu started training professionally under coach Kashinath Naik and later Baljeet Singh. Her big break came in 2014, when she broke a 14-year-old national record with a throw of 58.83 m at the National Inter-State Championships in Lucknow. This achievement earned her a place in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.
Check our detailed feature on India’s Performance at the Asian Games.
Milestones and Records
- 2014: Set a new national record (58.83 m).
- 2019: Broke her own record with a throw of 62.34 m at the Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala.
- 2019 World Championships: Became the first Indian woman to qualify for the javelin throw final.
- 2022: Raised the national record to 63.82 m, which still stands today.
Learn more about National Athletics Records of India.
International Success
- 2019 Asian Athletics Championships (Doha): Silver medal (60.22 m).
- 2022 Commonwealth Games (Birmingham): Bronze medal—first Indian woman to medal in javelin at the CWG.
- 2023 Asian Games (Hangzhou): Gold medal with a season-best throw of 62.92 m—a historic first for Indian women’s javelin throw.
Read our special coverage: Historic Wins for India in Athletics.
Trials and Triumphs
Before her Asian Games gold, Annu struggled with inconsistent performances and even considered retiring. However, her determination and self-belief brought her back stronger, inspiring countless young athletes in India.
Get inspired by more Sports Comeback Stories.
Recent Highlights (2025)
- Indian Open Throws Competition (Navi Mumbai): Gold medal.
- Continental Tour event (Bhubaneswar): Won with a throw of 62.01 m—marking a strong comeback.
Stay updated with our Latest Indian Sports News.
Legacy and Inspiration
Annu Rani’s career has broken multiple barriers:
- First Indian woman to win Asian Games gold in javelin.
- First Indian woman to medal in javelin at the Commonwealth Games.
- Role model for rural girls aspiring to sports careers.
Her journey proves that with passion, perseverance, and the right mindset, even the biggest obstacles can be overcome.
Read more on Women Who Changed Indian Sports.
