07 March,2026 07:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Anushree Gaikwad
Reshma Ansari celebrates triumphantly after her daring 111-metre plunge in Rishikesh. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
On Women's Day 2026, mid-day.com brings you the inspirational tale of Reshma Ansari - India's first female para-bodybuilder, popularly known as "Warrior Reshma."
Coming from a humble background in Mumbai, the 34-year-old overcame polio-induced paralysis in her right hand, scars from multiple leg surgeries, and a lifetime of extraordinary challenges to make history on the bodybuilding stage - and far beyond.
Her father, a driver for an app-based aggregator, and her homemaker mother did everything they could to give her a normal childhood. Ansari was enrolled in PES Central School in Navi Mumbai's CBD Belapur and later pursued a BMS degree from Satyagraha College in Kharghar, never letting her disabilities define her.
Life took a tragic turn when her father passed away, leaving her as the sole breadwinner. She battled depression, scoliosis, and other health issues, but in 2019, yoga became her turning point - bringing inner peace, strength, and resilience that transformed her life and inspired others.
Today, Ansari works on a contractual basis with the Indian Navy, balancing long office hours and commutes with her relentless pursuit of fitness, gym sessions, and weekend wheelchair cricket.
Life was an uphill battle for Ansari. Navigating school stairs with a heavy bag, coping with limited mobility, and growing up without siblings were daily struggles. With no guidance in sports or fitness, she developed a fascination for exercise, walking 30 minutes daily after school to stay active.
Financial challenges added another layer of difficulty. Her father's modest earnings could not cover higher education, so she relied on the generosity of friends' families and years of tutoring to continue her studies.
Life tested her repeatedly. In Class 11, a fall fractured her jaw, leaving her with a steel plate and a restricted diet. In 2020, she was diagnosed with COPD, forcing lifestyle adjustments amid fatigue and breathing difficulties. Yet, through it all - long work hours, commutes, training, and cricket - she persevered.
Her mantra fuels her: "Koi chiz shiddat se chaho to sari duniya aur khuda sab mila dete hai (if you desire something with full intensity, the world and God help you achieve it)."
Ansari's journey into bodybuilding began in 2021, inspired by the Sheru Classic event in Mumbai. Noticing a category for men with disabilities but no female representation, she decided to create history. Training tirelessly despite financial constraints, limited support, and physical pain, Ansari earned her place on the Sheru Classic Delhi 2022 stage.
In June that year, she became the only woman among 32 male participants.
"With poise, confidence, and relentless spirit, I completed my first bodybuilding posing routine, becoming India's first specially-abled female bodybuilder," she told mid-day.com. Since then, she has proudly embraced the name "Warrior Reshma," inspiring countless others through her courage and determination.
Her entry into bodybuilding was a rebellion against stereotypes. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to prove that there is nothing men can do that women cannot. "If boys can become bodybuilders, even girls can," she says.
Ansari's accomplishments extend far beyond the stage. She has actively participated in women's wheelchair cricket, earning the Woman of the Match trophy twice, and won medals in shot put events. Her perseverance has been honoured with the Mumbai Women Leaders Award 2023, Snehajyot Powerful Personality Award 2023, and the Rajmata Jijau Award 2024 - the latter presented in recognition of her mother's unwavering support.
Adding yet another milestone, on January 9, 2026, Ansari took a bold 111-metre bungee jump in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. For most, it's an adrenaline rush; for her, it was a powerful statement.
After planning and preparing for a year and a half, she overcame her fear.
"I was not able to stand for long as my right leg is more affected by polio. When the guide asked me to put my right leg forward, it was the hardest moment. But I wanted to take the leap, to overcome fear and show the world that people like me are nothing less," she told mid-day.com, adding, "I also did river rafting after bungee jumping in Rishikesh."
Despite doubts and discouragement, her willpower prevailed.
"Nothing will stop me, not even my disability," she says, adding, "Every woman is strong. Difficulties, people, situations will try to pull us down, but we shouldn't stop. Keep going and show the power of a woman."
Ansari, aka Warrior Reshma, is more than a bodybuilder or para-athlete - she is a symbol of courage, resilience, and determination. Her journey proves that with willpower, dedication, and the support of loved ones, no dream is unattainable.
