ATHUL KP
A leap of 6.88 metres was enough for Kerala’s Ancy Sojan to rewrite Indian athletics history. The long jumper from Nattika, a coastal village in Thrissur district, shattered the 22-year-old national record with a stunning jump at the National Senior Athletics Cham pionships. Her effort eclipsed the previous mark of 6.83 metres, set by India’s legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George in 2004, mak ing Ancy the new national record holder. For years, Ancy quietly built her career away from the spotlight. Today, she stands as one of Asia’s finest long jumpers and India’s biggest medal hope in the event. “Breaking the national record was a proud moment. From now on, the record will be known by my name,” Ancy told O Heraldo. “I was underrated, but now people know who I am. This is the reward for all my hard work and dedica tion. I am thankful to my coach, my parents and the Reliance Founda tion for always supporting me.” The historic jump not only earned her a place in the record books but also booked her ticket to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan.
As Asia’s top-ranked long jumper this season, she will head into the Games as one of India’s strongest medal contenders. The road to the historic leap, however, was never easy. Ancy began her sporting journey as a sprinter. Her father, Sojan ET, dreamed of making her one of India’s fastest runners, and she excelled in sprinting during her school days. Since students could compete in three events at school meets, her physical education teacher encouraged her to take up the long jump as an additional event. That decision changed the course of her career. “I wanted to make her a sprinter, but it was her destiny to represent India in the long jump,” Sojan told O Heraldo. According to him, Ancy’s commitment to the sport was evident from childhood. While others attended weddings and family gatherings, she never missed a training session. Ancy trained under her first coach, Sanoj VV, popularly known as Kannan Mash. Those early years were driven more by determination than facilities. The journey was not without setbacks.
Injuries threatened to derail her pro gress on several occasions, but she remained determined and continued to work tirelessly towards her goals. Her career took a major leap after joining the national coaching camp under coach Anoop Joseph. Access to better facilities, structured strength programmes, sports science support and professional coaching transformed her perfor mances. Her jumps consistently crossed the 6.50-metre to 6.70-metre mark before culminating in the record-break ing leap of 6.88 metres. Despite her success, Ancy believes her best is yet to come. “My next target is to go beyond the seven-metre mark. My ultimate dream is to represent India at the Olympics and win a gold medal for my country,” Ancy told O Heraldo. “I am only 25, and I believe this is the peak phase of my career. I will continue to push my limits because I know I can win an Olympic gold medal for India,” she added. Ancy also credited those who stood by her throughout her journey. “My parents, friends and everyone in my village have al ways supported me.
My father has been my biggest pillar of strength and my greatest supporter,” she said. Alongside her athletics career, Ancy serves in the Indi an Navy, successfully balancing the demands of elite sport with the responsibilities of military service. The support of the Navy, the national coaching setup and the Reliance Foundation has played a crucial role in her rise. The 25-year-old has steadily established herself among Asia’s elite long jumpers. She won silver medals at the 2022 Asian Games and the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships before adding a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.
With her national record and current form, she has emerged as one of the favourites to challenge for gold at future continental events. For her father, however, the ultimate dream remains the Olympic podium. “I still want to see my daughter win an Olympic gold medal. Hearing the Indian national anthem after her vic tory would be the greatest achievement and the proudest moment of my life,” Sojan said. With confidence at an all-time high and history already rewritten, Ancy now turns her attention to even bigger goals. If her current trajectory continues, the leap that broke a 22-year-old national record could prove to be only the beginning of a career capable of delivering Asian Games glory and, perhaps, India’s long-awaited Olympic gold in the long jump.
