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Once an avid marathon runner and avid mountaineer, she faced serious health problems, knee pain that required multiple surgeries, and was later diagnosed with osteoporosis.
At 70 years old, she consistently trains compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses with proper form and guidance. (Image: Canva, representative)
At the age of 70, most people might choose to slow down, relax and take it easy, but Anjali Hazari, a former teacher and tutorial company owner from Hong Kong, decided to do something special and took up powerlifting.
Anjali’s story is exactly the kind of inspiration we all need. Once an avid marathon runner and avid mountaineer, she faced serious health challenges with knee pain that required multiple surgeries and was later diagnosed with osteoporosis, which makes bones brittle and increases the risk of fractures.
The former teacher and former marathon runner, who was raised in Amravati, Maharashtra and later based in Hong Kong, has turned her recent health challenges into a powerful comeback story. According to a report in the South China Morning Post, Hazari will compete in her first powerlifting competition in the open category at the 2026 Hong Kong Powerlifting Championships to be held on April 11.
Many people may have stopped wearing running shoes forever. Anjali? She tied on various strings and stepped onto the powerlifting platform. Before starting powerlifting, Anjali led 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 working out.
Hazari’s journey began decades ago when she and her husband, a merchant naval officer, first arrived in Hong Kong. They lived on a ship docked on the outskirts of the city, and running to and from the port became her daily commute. That 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. “Like [Haruki] Murakami says it’s time to be alone and think. ”
A setback that could have ended it all.
When she developed osteoporosis, instead of switching to only gentle exercise, she incorporated strength training at age 69. Now, at age 70, he consistently trains compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, all done with proper form and guidance. Her transformation shows that increasing muscle strength can be a powerful medicine, especially when it comes to maintaining bone density and muscle as we age.
Hazari has suffered shin splints, plantar fasciitis, torn ligaments and multiple knee surgeries. By age 62, osteoarthritis forced him off the marathon course. Further health challenges followed. In 2020, a benign tumor on her ovary required extensive abdominal surgery, and in 2022, she was diagnosed with a parathyroid tumor, which strips calcium from her bones and causes severe osteoporosis.
Doctors recommended low-impact activities like swimming, but she found it boring. “Humans are bipedal. We are not designed to move horizontally for sports,” she said. After undergoing another knee surgery in 2025, which effectively ended her running and trekking days, she asked herself one powerful question. “What more can I do?”
Anjali’s approach is surprisingly simple. It’s about continuing to challenge yourself. She believes that fitness is not just for young people, but a lifelong commitment. Her story defies stereotypes about aging and retirement and proves that your 70s can be a time of new beginnings and unexpected strength.
On April 11, 70-year-old Anjali Hazari will compete in her first powerlifting competition, the South China Morning Post reports.
She is now encouraging women in Hong Kong and abroad, especially those in their 60s and 70s, to consider strength training as an empowering way to stay vital and independent.
Staying active is one of the most effective ways for older adults to maintain health, mobility, and independence. However, fewer than 15% of people 65 and older meet recommended levels of aerobic and strength-building activities, according to the 2023 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, cited by the American Medical Association’s website.
As stated on the American Medical Association website , strength training plays an important role in addition to aerobic exercise. “It supports muscle mass, maintains bone density, and helps improve daily functioning.” It also highlights that as we age, we tend to lose muscle, making even light activities like gardening essential, especially for people at risk of osteoporosis.
April 4, 2026, 11:57 IST
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