Ravuri Esther Rani, a 25-year-old from Vemuru village in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, has defied adversity to become the state's first professional woman bodybuilder. Her journey, marked by struggle and unwavering determination, now sees her striving for international recognition and medals for India.

Esther's childhood was fraught with hardship. Orphaned at the age of five, she and her brother were raised by their grandmother, who made ends meet by selling vegetables. Despite these challenges, Esther displayed a natural aptitude for sports, winning medals in school-level competitions. She said she started working on her body since three years and in six months she gained the perfect shape of a body builder by working out and having the strict prescribed diet of chicken, eggs, etc. She said she loved to have the muscles like men. She said many opposed her for taking this profession. There are very few female body builders and I am the first in AP.

In 2019, after completing her Intermediate education, Esther's family's financial situation worsened, forcing her to move to Hyderabad in search of work. After a period of struggle, she landed a job as a gym trainer, sparking her interest in bodybuilding.

"After some research, I learned that Andhra Pradesh didn't have a single professional woman bodybuilder. I wanted to change that," she said. She adopted a rigorous training regime, balancing her job with six hours of daily workouts. "Maintaining a balanced diet was costly, but I took loans from a few people to keep my training and diet going," she added.

Her journey was not without obstacles. Many discouraged her, questioning her choice of sport. "People told me to focus on 'important things,' or other sports, saying bodybuilding wasn't suitable for girls," she recalled. Even her grandmother initially disapproved.

However, Esther remained steadfast in her commitment. "I have confidence in myself. When people learned about my efforts, a few came forward to help me financially," she said.

Esther's colleagues in the bodybuilding community became a source of support and encouragement. "They welcomed me and praised my courage for breaking new ground for women in bodybuilding," she shared.

Now, Esther set her sights set on winning a medal for India. However, financial constraints threaten to derail her dreams. She has appealed to the government for support, hoping to secure the resources needed to bring glory to her state and country.

Esther Rani's story is one of resilience and unwavering spirit. She stands as an inspiration, proving that even amidst adversity, one can achieve extraordinary feats with determination and a belief in oneself. Her journey to international recognition is a testament to the power of perseverance and the breaking of barriers.