Ancy Sojan of Kerala has set a new national record in the women’s long jump, achieving a leap of 6.88m at the National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships. This performance, recorded on Saturday, surpasses the previous national mark of 6.83m held by Anju Bobby George for 22 years.
Anju Bobby George had established her record during the 2004 Athens Olympics. Ancy Sojan’s achievement marks a significant moment in Indian athletics, concluding one of the longest-standing records in the sport.
Record-breaking performances
Ancy Sojan’s record-breaking jump occurred on her fifth attempt at the Kalinga Stadium. She began the competition with a jump of 6.73m, which qualified her for the Asian Games. Her consistency was notable throughout the event, culminating in her best performance.
The athlete expressed her aspirations following the record, stating her hope that Anju Bobby George would be proud. She also indicated her desire to replicate her performance to secure a gold medal at the Asian Games and qualify for the World Championships. Ancy Sojan, an Asian Games silver medallist, had previously achieved a jump of 6.75m at the Federation meet in Ranchi the previous month.
In other events at the championships, Sarvesh Kushare improved upon Tejaswin Shankar’s eight-year-old national high jump record. Kushare cleared 2.31m, surpassing Shankar’s previous mark of 2.29m. He first met the Asian Games qualification standard before attempting the higher mark. After two unsuccessful attempts, he cleared 2.31m on his third try, becoming the first Indian to exceed 2.30m. His subsequent attempts to clear 2.35m were not successful.
Sarvesh Kushare noted that his body felt good and everything was in sync during his performance. He mentioned that he had aimed for 2.31m this time after not reaching 2.30m in Ranchi.
In the men’s 1500m, Yoonus Shah broke Bahadur Prasad’s 31-year-old record by clocking 3:37.55. Additionally, Yashas secured a victory in the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 49.14, narrowly beating Santhosh Kumar in a photo-finish.
Ancy Sojan’s career trajectory
Born on March 1, 2001, in Thrissur, Kerala, Ancy Sojan serves as a Chief Petty Officer in the Indian Navy. She has emerged as a prominent figure in women’s long jump. Her 6.88m jump is considered the eighth-best performance in Asian history, making her only the second Asian woman in the last two decades to achieve a distance beyond 6.85m.
Ancy Sojan gained international recognition at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she earned a silver medal with a jump of 6.63m. Her consistent performances have positioned her as a leading athlete in the event.
The national record previously held by Anju Bobby George had been a benchmark of excellence in Indian athletics. Anju Bobby George was the first Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships, claiming bronze in Paris in 2003. Her achievements have served as an inspiration for many athletes.
With the World Athletics Championships approaching, Ancy Sojan is considered a strong medal prospect for India. Her recent record-breaking performance and international podium finishes signify a new chapter for Indian women’s long jump, building upon the legacy established by Anju Bobby George. The National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships took place on Saturday.
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Source: thehindu.com
