Anjali Munda: From Humble Beginnings to Swimming Stardom
A Humble Beginning
In 2022, during a routine class, a sports teacher encouraged students to explore various sports. Anjali Munda, then just 11 years old, raised her hand to select swimming, the only sport she had any familiarity with. Hailing from Gahiragadiya village in Odisha's Jajpur district, located approximately 100 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, Anjali viewed swimming as a fun activity involving splashes of water, but she had never received formal training. As the youngest of four siblings, with her father working as a van driver at a local factory, Anjali moved to the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) at the age of 10. There, tribal students receive free education and boarding. Initially inspired by her elder sister, an archer, Anjali ultimately chose swimming, trusting her natural affinity for water.
Path to Victory
Although it took time for Anjali to gain the confidence to compete, she has not looked back since clinching a silver medal at a local club tournament a year later. "Winning that silver medal was a significant milestone for me. It instilled confidence in my abilities in the sport. I owe a lot to my coaches for their belief in me and their dedication during training sessions," shared the now 15-year-old Anjali, who made history as the first female gold medallist on the opening day of the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games.
Triumph at Khelo India
Anjali's impressive time of 2:39:02 seconds in the 200m freestyle secured her gold medal, preventing Karnataka, a dominant force in Indian swimming, from sweeping all six golds available on the opening day. She attributes her success to initiatives from the Union Sports Ministry, such as the ASMITA League (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action).
The ASMITA League Boost
"In 2024, I earned two silver medals at the Khelo India ASMITA League in Sambalpur. I was close to podium finishes in two other events as well. These achievements further boosted my confidence, making me believe I could excel in larger tournaments," she remarked.
Aiming for New Records
Anjali continued her success at the recent Khelo India ASMITA (U-15 & U-18) Swimming League (East Zone) held on March 21 and 22 in Guwahati, where she won two silver medals. Shortly after, she carried her momentum into the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur, where she secured her first gold medal on a national platform. Despite this significant achievement, the Odisha teenager expressed a desire to improve her performance, aiming to surpass her personal best of 2:25 seconds. She is now focused on enhancing her times in the upcoming events, including the women's 50m backstroke, women's 100m backstroke, and the 200m individual medley.