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An avid marathon runner and avid mountaineer, she faced serious health hurdles, knee pain that required multiple surgeries, and later a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
At 70, she constantly practices compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, all with proper form and direction. (Image: Canva, representative)
At 70 years old, most people would choose to slow down, relax and take things more seriously, but Anjali Hazare, a retired teacher from Hong Kong and owner of an education company, decided to do something unusual, and she started lifting weights.
Anjali’s story is the kind of inspiration we all need right. An avid marathon runner and avid mountaineer, she faced serious health hurdles, knee pain that required multiple surgeries, and then was diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
Raised in Amravati, Maharashtra, and later settled in Hong Kong, the retired teacher and former marathon runner has turned her latest health challenges into a powerful comeback story. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Hazare 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 sneakers forever. Anjali? I tied up different things and got onto the weightlifting platform. Before weightlifting, Anjali lived an active and adventurous life filled with marathons and mountain climbing. Even after knee and abdominal surgeries that could have ended her fitness journey, she refused to stop moving.
Hazare’s journey began decades ago when she and her merchant marine officer husband first arrived in Hong Kong. They lived on a ship anchored on the outskirts of the city, and running to and from the port became her daily commute. This simple habit quickly turned into a serious passion for long-distance running.
“Running was a form of meditation,” she told the South China Morning Post. “He loves [Haruki] “It’s time to be alone with your thoughts,” says Murakami.
Setbacks that could have ended everything
When osteoporosis struck, instead of turning to only gentle activities, she turned to strength training at age 69. Now 70, she constantly practices compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, all with proper form and direction. Her transformation shows that building strength can be powerful medicine, especially for maintaining bone and muscle density as we age.
Al-Hazari suffered shin splints, plantar fasciitis, torn ligaments and multiple knee surgeries. At age 62, osteoarthritis forced her to abandon the marathon course. Other health challenges followed: benign ovarian tumors that required major abdominal surgery in 2020, then the discovery of a parathyroid tumor in 2022 that was stripping calcium from her bones, leading to severe osteoporosis.
Doctors advised her on low-impact activities such as swimming, but she found them boring. “Humans are bipedal, and we’re not supposed to move horizontally for sport,” she said. After another knee surgery in 2025, which effectively ended her running and touring days, she asked herself a powerful question: “What can I still do?”
Anjali’s approach is very simple: keep challenging yourself. She sees fitness as a lifelong commitment and not something reserved for young people. Her story shatters stereotypes about aging and retirement, proving that the 1970s can be a time of new beginnings and unexpected strength.
On April 11, at the age of 70, Anjali Hazare will enter the competition arena in her first powerlifting meet, the South China Morning Post reports.
She is now inspiring women across Hong Kong and beyond – especially those in their 60s and 70s – to consider strength training as a way to enable them to stay energetic and independent.
Staying active remains one of the most effective ways for older adults to maintain health, mobility, and independence. However, less than 15% of people ages 65 and older meet recommended levels of aerobic activity and muscle strengthening, according to the American Medical Association website, citing the 2023 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Along with exercise, strength training plays a vital role, as stated on the American Medical Association website. “It helps support muscle mass, maintain bone density, and improve daily function.” It also highlights that as we age, muscle loss becomes easier, making even light activities such as gardening essential, especially for those at risk of osteoporosis.
04 April 2026 at 11:57 IST
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