Anju Bobby George, the esteemed icon of Indian athletics, has articulated her firm belief that Shaili Singh and her daughter, Andrea, are destined to carve their names in the annals of sporting greatness.
Exuding confidence in Shaili's potential, Anju emphatically declared, "I think Shaili Singh will be the next big name in Indian athletics after Neeraj Chopra." Her endorsement resonates with Shaili's exceptional talent and the luminous trajectory that awaits her in the competitive realm of sports.
This comment was made in an interaction with Anju at the MOVE (Move Own Vitalise and Empower) Summit 2024 organised by Happiest Health, a health magazine here Saturday.
Currently honing her skills through rigorous training in Europe for the upcoming Olympics, Shaili has already showcased her mettle with outstanding performances, transcending challenges along the way.
Anju stated that she had been expecting Shaili to break her record since last year, noting her close performance at the national event with a jump of 6.76 meters. She also highlighted Shaili's achievement as the youngest athlete to win a silver medal in the under-20 world championship, narrowly missing the gold by just 1cm.
"Since last year, I've been expecting Shaili to break my record at any time. She came very close at the national event with a jump of 6.76 meters. She is also the youngest athlete to win a world championship medal under 20, securing a silver medal, and she missed the gold by just 1cm," she said.
Shaili, who is currently training in Europe for the upcoming Olympics under the guidance of Bobby George, has set her sights on achieving even greater success this year. "She is aiming for higher success," George added. "We can expect her to break the Indian record anytime. I don't know when exactly, but she is well within reach. Despite facing some running issues, she can do it," she said.
Moreover, Anju took pride in highlighting the promising journey of her daughter, Andrea. "The next Anju Bobby George is my girl, Andrea," she proclaimed when asked who is the next Anju Bobby George.
As Shaili and Andrea embark on their respective journeys towards sporting excellence under Anju's expert guidance, the horizon of Indian sports gleams with promise, heralding forthcoming achievements and milestones yet to be attained.(UNI)