From Kerala’s Narrow Lanes to National History: Ancy Sojan’s Record Leap Redefines Indian Long Jump
A Historic Leap for Indian Athletics
Indian athletics witnessed a landmark moment when Ancy Sojan produced a sensational 6.88m jump at the 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. The effort earned her the gold medal and shattered the 22-year-old women’s long jump national record of 6.83m, previously held by Anju Bobby George.
The record-breaking performance marked one of the biggest achievements of the domestic athletics season and placed Ancy among India’s finest field athletes.
Performance at a Glance
Event: Women’s Long Jump
Competition: 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships 2026
Venue: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Gold Medal Distance: 6.88m
Previous National Record: 6.83m (Anju Bobby George)
New National Record: 6.88m
Record Broken After: 22 years
The Story Behind the Success
Behind the historic jump lies an inspiring journey built on determination and family sacrifice.
Ancy hails from Nattika, a coastal village in Kerala’s Thrissur district. Her father and uncle, both auto-rickshaw drivers, once dreamed of becoming athletes themselves but never received the opportunities to pursue the sport professionally. Instead, they invested their time, hard work and earnings into helping Ancy fulfil the dream they could not.
Growing up in modest surroundings, Ancy developed her passion for athletics at an early age. Her family stood firmly behind her ambitions, ensuring that financial limitations never became a reason to give up.
Years of Discipline Paid Off
Ancy’s rise was far from overnight. Under the guidance of her coaches, she focused on improving every aspect of her performance—from speed and strength to technique and fitness.
Her preparation included strict dietary control, weight management and intense training sessions. The disciplined approach transformed her into one of India’s most consistent long jumpers and eventually helped her produce the biggest jump of her career.
Breaking a Legendary Record
For more than two decades, Anju Bobby George’s 6.83m national record stood as one of the most respected milestones in Indian athletics.
Ancy’s 6.88m leap finally rewrote the record books, signalling the arrival of a new generation of Indian field athletes. The achievement was widely appreciated within the athletics community, with Anju herself welcoming the new record and acknowledging that every sporting milestone is meant to inspire future champions.
Eyes on Bigger Goals
Although the national record is a major achievement, Ancy believes it is only the beginning of a bigger journey.
Her next target is to consistently cross the seven-metre mark, a distance that would place her among the world’s elite long jumpers and strengthen India’s prospects at major international championships, including the Asian Games, World Championships and the Olympic Games.
A New Inspiration for Indian Sport
Ancy Sojan’s success is more than a medal-winning performance. It is a story of perseverance, family support and unwavering belief. From a small fishing village in Kerala to becoming India’s national record holder, her journey proves that talent combined with determination can overcome even the toughest circumstances.
With a national record now beside her name and international ambitions ahead, Ancy has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars in Indian athletics.
