Manju Rani is an Indian athlete known for competing in 35 km race walk events. |
In 2023, she won a bronze medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. |
She grew up in Khaira Khurd village of Mansa district in Punjab, India. |
At the age of two, her mother passed away in a drowning accident. |
Her journey as a racewalker began when she was recommended by her handball coach to try racewalking. |
She comes from a modest background, and her father supported her training by taking loans and mortgaging their land. |
She started her racewalking career in 2013 and trained at SAI in Badal, Punjab. |
At 15, she won her first medal, a bronze, at a state level race walking competition. |
In 2018, she joined the Indian Army as a Sipahi. |
She secured financial support from Sashastra Seema Bal for her training needs, including a personal loan for further investment in her career. |
Her senior athlete career started in 2020. |
In 2022, she set a national record in the 35 km race walk and won a silver medal at the National Open Race Walking Championship. |
She also participated in the 36th National Games in Gujarat, securing the second position. |
In February 2023, she set a new national record in the Women's 35 Km Race Walking event. |
She achieved gold in the women's 10 Km race walk at the All India Police Athletic Championship in 2023. |
Manju Rani represented India at the 19th Asian Games, winning a bronze medal in the 35km mixed team event. |