Anju Bobby George was born on April 19, 1977, in the Cheeranchira Kochuparambil family in Changanassery, Kerala. Anju father`s name is K. T. Markose and mother is Gracy. Anju Bobby George`s trainer in CKM Koruthode School, Mr. Thomas, further developed her interest. Anju did her schooling in the St. Ann`s High School and CKM Koruthode School and then graduated from the Vimala College. Anju bobby studied in the Calicut University at post graduation level. Anju talent in Athletics was first identified at an early stage of her life, when she won the 100 m hurdles and relay in the School Athletic meet in 1991-92. She also stood second in long jump and high jump events, and eventually became the women`s champion. After that, anju went on to prove her talent in the national schools games by winning third place in 100 m hurdles and 4×100 m relay. Anju is a One of the all time great athletes in India.
Anju won the Long Jump medal in that championship. Anju got another major success in 1999, when anju set the National Record for Triple Jump in the Bangalore Federation Cup. Anju Bobby George started her professional career in Athletics, with Heptathlon. However, soon she started to concentrate more on jump events and got her first major success in the 1996 Delhi Junior Asian Championship. Anju also claimed the Silver medal at the South Asian Federation Games in Nepal. Anju continued to perform well in different championships and in 2001; Anju broke her own National Record and set a new one in the National Circuit Meet at Thiruvananthapuram. Anju bobby George crossed a distance of 6.74 m in the Long Jump event in that meet. Anju also won Gold medal in Triple Jump and Long Jump in the Ludhiana National Games, in the same year. Anju dominated everyone in her events in the Hyderabad National Games, as well.
Anju bobby won the Bronze medal by clearing 6.49 m at the 2002 Commonwealth Games at Manchester. After gaining significant success at the national and regional level, Anju Bobby George gradually became a name in the international Athletics meets from 2002. Anju also won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Busan, in the same year. Presented most memorable moment of her career and also one of the greatest moments in the history of Indian Athletics in the year 2003. Anju made history by winning the bronze medal in Long Jump clearing 6.70 m at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris. This achievement boosted her confidence further and Anju went on to achieve her personal best of 6.83 m at the 2004 Olympic Games at Athens. That performance brought her the sixth position in the Athens Olympics.
Anju Bobby George won the Gold medal in the women`s Long Jump at the 16th Asian Athletics Championship in Incheon City of South Korea with a leap of 6.65 metres.Anju also won the Silver medal at the IAAF World Athletics Final in 2005; by clearing 6.75 m. Anju Bobby George considers this performance to be her best performance ever. After that, Anju won Silver medal in women`s Long Jump in the 15th Asian Games, 2006, held at Doha. Anju wonderful performance continued in 2007 also, when she won Silver medal in the 17th Asian Athletics Championship at Amman (Jordan) with a jump of 6.65m. She also got qualified for the Osaka World Championship in August 2007.
The year 2008, started well for Anju Bobby George, as she won the Silver medal in 3rd Asian Indoor Championship in athletics at Doha (Qatar). Anju crossed a distance of 6.38m in the championship. Anju bobby improved her performance in the 3rd South Asian Athletics Championship at Kochi (Kerala, India) and won the Gold medal by clearing a distance of 6.50 m. However, Anju has suffered from serious injuries throughout her career and that has caused great harm to her performances. Though, she did qualify to participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, however failed to qualify for the final event of women`s Long Jump
Anju Bobby George to reach her highest ever World ranking of No. 4, in May-June, 2004. Anju was considered to be one of the best Athletes in the world during that period. Her rankings rose from No. 61 in 2001 to No. 6 in 2006.Anju Bobby George gives most of the credit for her success, to her husband, Bobby George. Bobby George was also a successful Athlete and a former National Champion in Triple Jump. He ended his career in 1998 and has been a full time coach to Anju, since then. Apart from Bobby, Anju has also taken coaching from the internationally renowned Athletics coach, Mike Powell.
Anju Bobby George`s extraordinary talent and wonderful consistent performances at the national, regional and international championships have brought her several prestigious awards in India. Anju Bobby George is always considered as one of the most successful Athletes in the history of Indian Athletics. Anju has also added glory of India, by performing extraordinarily in various international Athletics meets. Anju is currently associated with the Customs department in India.
Awards:-
- Arjuna Award in the year 2002-03.
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in the year 2003-04.
- Padma Shri in the year 2004.
- Hero Sports Academy Awards- Sports Woman of the year in 2004 & 2005.
- Jimmy George Award in the year 2004.
- Mathrubhumi Star of the year in the year 2003.
- The best female Athlete National Games in the year 2001 & 2002.