Last Updated:April 04, 2026, 12:47 IST
Once an enthusiastic marathon runner and passionate mountaineer, she faced serious health hurdles, knee pain that required multiple surgeries and later a diagnosis of osteoporosis
At 70, she’s consistently training with compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, all done with proper form and guidance. (Image: Canva, Representational)
At 70 years old, most people might choose to slow down, relax, and take it easy but Anjali Hazari, a retired Hong Kong teacher and tutorial company owner decided to do something extraordinary, she started powerlifting.
Anjali’s story is the kind of inspiration we all need right. Once an enthusiastic marathon runner and passionate mountaineer, she faced serious health hurdles, knee pain that required multiple surgeries and later a diagnosis of osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and raises fracture risk.
Raised in Amravati, Maharashtra, and later based in Hong Kong, the retired teacher and former marathon runner has turned her latest health challenge into a powerful comeback story. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Hazari will compete in her first powerlifting competition on April 11 at the 2026 Hong Kong Powerlifting Championships — in the open category, no less.
Many would have hung up their running shoes for good. Anjali? She laced up different ones and stepped onto the powerlifting platform. Before powerlifting, Anjali lived an active, adventurous life filled with marathons and mountain climbs. Even after knee and abdominal surgeries that could have ended her fitness journey, she refused to quit moving.
Hazari’s journey began decades ago when she and her merchant navy officer husband first arrived in Hong Kong. They lived on a ship docked on the city’s outskirts, and running to and from the port became her daily commute. That simple habit soon turned into a serious passion for long-distance running.
“Running was a form of meditation,” she told the South China Morning Post. “Like [Haruki] Murakami says, it’s time to be alone with your thoughts.”
Setbacks That Could Have Ended It All
When osteoporosis hit, instead of switching to only gentle activities, she embraced strength training at age 69. Now at 70, she’s consistently training with compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, all done with proper form and guidance. Her transformation shows that building strength can be powerful medicine, especially for maintaining bone density and muscle as we age.
Hazari suffered shin splints, plantar fasciitis, torn ligaments, and multiple knee surgeries. By age 62, osteoarthritis forced her off the marathon course. Further health challenges followed: benign ovarian tumours requiring major abdominal surgery in 2020, and later a parathyroid tumour discovered in 2022 that had been stripping calcium from her bones, leading to severe osteoporosis.
Doctors advised low-impact activities like swimming, but she found it boring. “Humans are bipedal; we’re not meant to move horizontally for sport,” she said. After another knee surgery in 2025 that effectively ended her running and trekking days, she asked herself one powerful question: “What can I still do?”
Anjali’s approach is refreshingly simple: keep challenging yourself. She sees fitness as a lifelong commitment rather than something reserved for the young. Her story is breaking stereotypes about aging and retirement, proving that your 70s can be a time of new beginnings and unexpected strength.
On April 11, at age 70, Anjali Hazari will step onto the competition floor for her first powerlifting meet, as per South China Morning Post report.
She’s now inspiring women across Hong Kong and beyond especially those in their 60s and 70s — to consider strength training as an empowering way to stay vibrant and independent.
Staying active remains one of the most effective ways for older adults to maintain health, mobility and independence. Yet, fewer than 15% of those aged 65 and above meet the recommended levels of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity, according to the American Medical Association website citing the 2023 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Beyond aerobic exercise, strength training plays a vital role, as mentioned on the American Medical Association website . “It helps support muscle mass, maintain bone density, and improves daily function.” It also highlights that with age, muscle loss becomes easier, making even light activities like gardening essential, especially for those at risk of osteoporosis.
First Published:
April 04, 2026, 11:57 IST
News viral Defying The Odds: How A 70-Year-Old Retired Teacher Beat Osteoporosis To Become A Professional PowerlifterDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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