Ancy Sojan Shatters Long-Standing Long Jump Record at National Championships
Historic Achievement in Long Jump
Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], June 27: Ancy Sojan has made headlines by breaking the long-standing long jump record previously held by Anju Bobby George. After her remarkable performance at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships, she dedicated her gold medal to her father, who had always hoped for a national record holder in the family.
During the championships held in Bhubaneshwar, the 25-year-old athlete achieved a stunning jump of 6.88 meters, surpassing Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old record of 6.83 meters, which was set during the 2004 Athens Olympics.
In a statement released by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Sojan expressed that her initial aim was to exceed her personal best of 6.75 meters, which she had set just four weeks prior.
"My target today was to surpass my personal best of 6.75m recorded in Ranchi," said a thrilled Ancy Sojan.
She kicked off her record-breaking attempts with a jump of 6.73 meters, followed by a no mark on her second attempt. Her subsequent jumps were 6.67m, 6.72m, and finally, she was ecstatic when the scoreboard displayed 6.88m. Her final jump measured 6.69m.
Sojan dedicated her achievement to her father, stating, "He always wanted someone in the family to hold a national record. This gold medal is a special gift for him."
After facing health challenges last year that required her to take a break, Sojan reflected, "It was a tough journey both mentally and physically. I’m thrilled to have made a comeback just in time for the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games starting September 19."
In another highlight of the day, Maharashtra's experienced high jumper Sarvesh Anil Kushare, aged 31, set a new men's high jump record at 2.31 meters, breaking the previous record of 2.29 meters established by Tejaswin Shankar in 2018.
Sarvesh attempted to raise the bar to 2.35 meters but was unsuccessful. He shared, "I felt great after clearing 2.27m, which motivated me to push for the national record," achieving it on his third attempt.
Additionally, Yoonus Shah from Uttar Pradesh broke the men's 1500m meet record, clocking in at 3:37.55 seconds, surpassing Bahadur Prasad's previous record of 3:40.10 seconds set in Chennai.
Yashas P also set a new meet record in the men's 400m hurdles, finishing with a time of 49.14 seconds, improving upon his earlier record of 49.37 seconds.
Many medalists also met the qualification standards for the upcoming Japan Asian Games in their respective events.