Ranjita Gogoi’s childhood was spent playing. She hopped, skipped, jumped, and ran alongside her four siblings.

In school and college, she was the volleyball captain and also participated in several other sports.

Life changed after marriage, as family responsibilities took priority. Still, she always took care of her health by regularly going to the gym.

Armed with a bachelor's degree (BSc) in agriculture, she secured a government job in Jorhat, Assam.

Later, Ranjita moved to the Philippines for a few years accompanying her husband as he pursued his PhD. During this time, they were frequently invited to pool parties.

Watching everyone swim gave Ranjita an inferiority complex and a burning desire to learn the sport.

This was in the early 90s and after they returned to India, her swimming dream remained unfulfilled as there was no swimming pool nearby.

“I always harboured an ambition to move up in life and looked for avenues,” Ranjita says.

The 62-year-old finally got her chance in 2011, when an opportunity presented itself. A Swimming Federation of India (SFI) pool had opened in Jorhat, and she was among the first to sign up.

Then, in her 40s, Ranjita started swimming competitively. Despite the late start, her dedication paid off remarkably as she quickly moved up in championships.

She rapidly progressed from inter-district championships to earning national and international recognition, earning her the title, ‘Iron Lady of Assam’.

“Ranjita is extremely talented and consistent. Her consistency and never-say-no attitude has taken her all the way,” says Harekrishna Gogoi, her swimming coach.

From silver and bronze in her 50s, she switched to gold in her 60s! At the Pan India Masters Games Federation in 2024, she won gold in events like the 200m butterfly, 50m butterfly, and 50m backstroke.

Caught by the competitive sports bug, she soon tried her hand at powerlifting and arm wrestling too.

“I liked powerlifting, so I continued. I find all these sports very interesting and I’m always game to try something new,” Ranjita says with childlike glee.

At the National Arm Wrestling Championship held by the  Board of Control for Armwrestling in India (BCAI) in 2024, she won a silver medal. In powerlifting, she also bagged gold at the National Masters Games in Goa the same year.

During her free time, she tends to her plants with her husband. This active routine keeps both her mind and body fit, which may explain her ever-smiling, pleasant candour.