A chance selection during a sports class in 2022 has led Anjali Munda, now 15, to achieve remarkable success in swimming. Anjali Munda, who is from Gahiragadiya village in Odisha’s Jajpur district, about 100 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, chose swimming during a class where students were encouraged to pick different sports. At that time, she only had casual experience with swimming, having regarded it as an enjoyable activity rather than a competitive sport.

The youngest of four siblings, Anjali’s father works as a van driver at a local factory. She moved to the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) at the age of 10, where tribal children from all over the state receive free education and boarding. Initially inspired by her elder sister, who is an archer, Anjali ultimately decided to pursue swimming due to her comfort in water. Although building the confidence to compete took time, her journey gained momentum when she won a silver medal at a local club tournament a year later.

First Gold Medal at Khelo India Tribal Games

Anjali opened the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games by clinching the gold medal in the 200m freestyle event with a time of 2:39:02, marking a significant accomplishment as the first female gold medallist of the event. This victory prevented Karnataka, known as a swimming powerhouse, from winning all six gold medals available on the opening day. Anjali expressed gratitude towards her coaches, acknowledging their dedication during her training sessions for helping her gain the confidence to excel in her sport.

“The silver medal was my first, and it holds a special place in my heart. It encouraged me to believe in my abilities,” she stated. Anjali also credited various initiatives by the Union Sports Ministry, including the ASMITA League, which aims to inspire women in sports through action.

Recent Achievements Boost Confidence

“In 2024, I won two silver medals at the Khelo India ASMITA League in Sambalpur, and I was close to a podium finish in two other events. Those achievements further boosted my confidence and prepared me for larger competitions,” she noted. Anjali continued to show her prowess in the recent Khelo India ASMITA Swimming League (U-15 & U-18), held in Guwahati on March 21 and 22, where she added more silver medals to her collection.

Her impressive form led her to the Khelo India Tribal Games in Raipur, where she celebrated her first gold medal at the national level. Despite her triumphant performance, Anjali expressed a desire to improve her personal best time of 2:25 seconds, aiming for better results in upcoming events, including the women’s 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, and the 200m individual medley.

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