Ancy Sojan scripted one of the biggest moments in Indian athletics by breaking Anju Bobby George’s long-standing women’s long jump national record with a sensational leap of 6.88m at the National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships on Saturday, June 27.
The Kerala athlete produced the historic jump on her fifth attempt, surpassing the previous national mark of 6.83m that Anju had set during the 2004 Athens Olympics. It brought an end to one of the oldest records in Indian athletics and marked a watershed moment for the country’s field events.
The effort also elevated Ancy into the upper echelon of Asian athletics. Her 6.88m jump is the eighth-best performance in the continent’s history and makes her only the second Asian woman in the last two decades to breach the 6.85m mark, highlighting the quality of her performance on the international stage.
The record had stood as a symbol of excellence ever since Anju Bobby George emerged as one of India’s greatest athletes. Apart from holding the national record for over two decades, Anju became the first Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships when she claimed bronze in Paris in 2003. Her achievements inspired a generation of jumpers, but none had managed to eclipse her mark until now.
WHO IS ANCY SOJAN?
Ancy Sojan is one of India’s fastest-rising track and field stars, having established herself as a leading force in the women’s long jump. Born on March 1, 2001, in Thrissur, Kerala, Ancy represents the Indian Navy, where she serves as a Chief Petty Officer. She has enjoyed a rapid rise over the past few years, emerging as one of India’s most consistent performers in the event.
Ancy first grabbed international attention at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she won the silver medal with a jump of 6.63m. She followed it up with another silver medal at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships and added a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, underlining her consistency on the continental stage.
The 25-year-old had hinted at bigger things earlier this season when she improved her personal best to 6.75m at the National Federation Cup. She surpassed that mark in spectacular fashion, breaking Anju Bobby George’s record.
With the World Athletics Championships on the horizon, Ancy has emerged as one of India’s brightest medal prospects. Her remarkable rise, highlighted by multiple international podium finishes and a historic national record, signals a new era for Indian women’s long jump while carrying forward the legacy built by Anju Bobby George.
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