15-year-old from Odisha’s Jajpur district beat fancied rival from Karnakata to win gold in 200m freestyle at the inugural Khelo India Tribal Games

Our Correspondent

New Delhi: Anjali Munda came to know about swimming as a competitive sport just four years ago at school. Before that, she would make merry at village ponds in Odisha’s Jajpur district, about 100 kilometres from Bhubaneswar. It so happened that when students in her school were encouraged to pick a sport, the little girl from Gahiragadiya village raised her hand for swimming. She has now not only learnt about strokes and technique but has also developed a competitive streak. On Wednesday, the 15-year-old became the first women gold medallist of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) in Raipur, marking a significant landmark in her career.

Anjali won the gold medal in the 200m freestyle with a timing of 2:39.02s. Just how impressive Anjali’s effort in the pool on Thursday can be gauged from the fact that Karnataka, known as a powerhouse in swimming in the country, swept all the other six gold medals on offer on the opening day of KITG. She beat S. Nidhi of Karnataka, who came second with a timing of 2:39.09s. On Friday, Anjali will compete in the 100m backstroke as well.

Start of a Journey

The opportunity to become a swimmer came at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), where tribal students from across the state receive free education and boarding. Anjali’s father works as a van driver at a local factory. She is the youngest among four siblings and was inspired to take up sport by her elder sister, who is an archer. At the age of 10, Anjali moved to KISS and picked up swimming, an activity she used to enjoy in her village. A silver medal at a local club tournament a year later filled her with confidence.

I have to thank my coaches for believing in me and for the effort they put into my training sessions: Anjali Munda. Pic: SAI

“That silver medal was the first in my life, and it is very special,” said Anjali during an interaction with SAI. “It gave me the confidence that I could do well in swimming. I have to thank my coaches for believing in me and for the effort they put into my training sessions,” added the 15-year-old after winning gold on the opening day of the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games.

Looking ahead

Anjali has also won medals in the ASMITA League (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action), which further fuelled her ambitions. “In 2024, I won two silver medals in the Khelo India ASMITA League, held in Sambalpur. I had finished within striking distance of the podium in the other two events. It gave me the belief that I could do well in bigger tournaments,” she added.

Despite the landmark victory, the Odisha teenager was not entirely satisfied with her performance. “I was aiming to improve my personal best of 2:25s.”

She has now set her sights on improving her personal bests in the remaining events — the women’s 50m backstroke, women’s 100m backstroke, and the 200m individual medley.

—-