India’s Shaili Singh won the silver medal in women’s long jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi with a best attempt of 6.59m. She came agonisingly close to the gold medal, falling short by just 0.01m, with Sweden’s Maja Askag winning it with a best effort of 6.60m. It was India’s second silver medal — and third overall — at this year’s edition of the U20 Championships.
Just as this medal is special, the story of Shaili Singh’s struggle is also very inspiring for the youth of the country. The 17 year old long jumper has brought laurels to Bharat by defeating poverty and family difficulties.
“I could have jumped farther than 6.59m and won the gold. My mother had told me about winning gold and the national anthem being sung in the stadium (but I could not do it),” Shaili said with tear-filled eyes and a voice choked with emotion after the race.
“I am just 17, I want a gold in the next U20 World Championships (in Cali, Colombia). There are also Asian Games and Commonwealth Games next year and I want to do well in those events,” she said with determination.
Even during her greatest triumph, Shaili did not forget the hardhip her mother, Vinita, endured back home in UP. “She has gone through a lot but she is a very strong lady,” shaili said.
“Even before the meet I had spoken to her and she said I would win gold. Hopefully, next time I shall.” In fact it was her mother who helped her take up the sport.
Shaili was picked by Anju and Robert during an inter-disctrict competition when she was just 14. Since then she has been nurtured at the Anju Bobby George academy in Bengaluru. Notably, it was Bobby George who coached his wife, Anju to a world championships medal in 2005 in women’s long jump.
Marked by Anju Bobby George as one of the brightest medal prospects for India at major events, 17-year-old Shaili proved her mentor right with a terrific show in Nairobi. Shaili had overcome several personal hurdles to make a mark at the international level.
Struggle in life is nothing new for Shaili Singh. She was raised by a single mother who worked as a tailor, encouraged Shaili to work hard to turn her dreams into reality.
She had won the women’s long jump event at the National (Senior) Inter-State Championships in June with an effort of 6.48m, her previous personal best. She is the current U-18 world No. 2 and U-20 national record holder.
“She can improve on the national record. Our main target for Shaili is to help her finish on the podium at the Olympic Games, which is the most valuable thing. If our trainee can win a medal, I will consider it as my own,” says Anju Bobby George, the 2003 World Championship bronze medallist.