Indian athletics witnessed a defining moment as Kerala’s Ancy Sojan rewrote the record books by breaking one of the country’s longest-standing national records. Competing at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, the 25-year-old produced a stunning leap of 6.88 metres to erase the women’s long jump national record that had belonged to Indian legend Anju Bobby George for 22 years.
Ancy achieved the historic mark on her fifth attempt, surpassing Anju Bobby George’s 6.83m, which was set during the 2004 Athens Olympics. The remarkable effort not only earned her the gold medal but also marked a new chapter in Indian athletics, as one of the country’s most celebrated records finally fell.
The Kerala athlete looked in excellent rhythm throughout the competition. She opened with a solid 6.73m, maintained consistency in the following rounds, and then delivered the decisive 6.88m jump. Her final attempt measured 6.69m, comfortably securing the national title.
The record-breaking performance also helped Ancy achieve the Athletics Federation of India’s qualification standard for the 2026 Asian Games, strengthening India’s medal prospects in the women’s long jump. Already an Asian Games silver medallist, she has continued to improve steadily over the past few seasons and now stands as India’s leading long jumper.
The achievement received praise from Anju Bobby George herself, who welcomed the new milestone and remarked that records are meant to be broken. Her words reflected the passing of the torch to a new generation of Indian athletes determined to raise the country’s standards on the international stage.
Ancy’s rise has been built on perseverance and discipline. Hailing from a modest family in Kerala, she has steadily climbed the ranks through consistent performances at national and international competitions. Her latest feat is not only a personal milestone but also a significant boost for Indian athletics ahead of major global events.
Interestingly, the day proved historic for Indian athletics as another long-standing national record also fell during the championships, making it one of the most memorable editions of the National Inter-State Championships in recent years.
Key Highlights
Champion: Ancy Sojan (Kerala)
Event: Women’s Long Jump
Winning Distance: 6.88m
Record Broken: 6.83m by Anju Bobby George (2004 Athens Olympics)
Record Age: 22 years
Venue: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
Achievement: National Record, Gold Medal, Asian Games qualification
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