Anju bags wushu gold in Moscow

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 1

Anju Kumari of Government Model Senior Secondary School (Sector 26) bagged laurels for the city by winning a gold medal in the recently-concluded International Moscow Wushu Star held from February 24 to 29.

The Indian contingent won six gold, six silver and three bronze medals in different weight categories. Anju claimed the gold in the junior (Sanshou) U-52 category.

Anju, who is the daughter of a gardener, got her initial training of self defence from Swayam team of Chandigarh Police. Later, she was trained under wushu coaches Sandeep Malik, Manoj and Ram Mehar. Her father works as a gardener at the Sector 26 butterfly park. “Around 700 athletes from 19 countries participated in this tournament and it was a good experience. Before this championship, I won a gold medal in the 18th Junior National Wushu Championship held at Chandigarh,” said Anju.

She will now get further residential training at the recently established Wushu Centre of Excellence at Itanagar under Sports Authority of India Khelo India Scheme. “It’s a major boost that the Sports Authority of India will bear the cost of my education and training,” added Anju.

Three more players of Chandigarh -- Roshni, Komal and Gayatri -- have been selected for advance training at Imphal and Itanagar and Madhya Pradesh.