21-year-old long jumper Shaili Singh said that breaking the 23-year-old Federation Cup record held by her mentor and India’s long jump icon Anju Bobby George was a moment of pride for her. Shaili jumped 6.64 meters, surpassing Anju’s 2002 mark of 6.59 meters at the National Federation Cup Athletics Championships held at the Maharaja’s College Ground in Ernakulam.
“Breaking Anju Ma’am’s long-standing Federation Cup record is a moment of pride for me. Her achievements have always been my inspiration, and to follow in her footsteps means everything. This record stood for 23 years because of how exceptional she was, and I’m honoured to now be part of this legacy. This is just the beginning of my journey, and I hope to continue making my country proud with many more milestones to come,” said an emotional Shaili after her gold-winning jump.
What made the moment even more special was that the woman she dethroned was standing right beside her – Anju Bobby George, not just her predecessor but also her guiding force. Anju, who now mentors young talents, including Shaili, through her foundation, was the one to present the gold medal to the record-breaker, turning the ceremony into a symbolic passing of the baton.
“I always knew that she would break my record. This is a perfect anniversary gift for me. Now I’m waiting for Shaili to break my national record,” said Anju with a wide smile, clearly beaming with pride.
Reflecting on Shaili’s journey and the significance of the achievement, Anju added: “Records are meant to be broken, and I’m thrilled to see Shaili accomplish this feat. When we first spotted her talent years ago, I knew she had what it takes to surpass even my best marks. Watching her growth has been like witnessing the next chapter of Indian athletics unfold. This record-breaking performance represents the bright future of Indian women in sports. I couldn’t be prouder to pass this torch to someone so dedicated and gifted.”
