India's Ancy Sojan Breaks 22-Year National Record in Women's Long Jump

India's Ancy Sojan Edappilly (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Indian athletics witnessed a historic day at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar as two long-standing national records were broken. Kerala's Ancy Sojan produced a stunning performance in the women's long jump, surpassing a record that had stood for more than two decades and was held by one of India's greatest athletes, Anju Bobby George. The 25-year-old Ancy leapt 6.88 metres to set a new national record, bettering Anju Bobby George's previous mark of 6.83 metres, which was achieved during the 2004 Athens Olympics season. Her achievement marks a significant milestone in Indian athletics and signals the arrival of a new benchmark in the event. Ancy's record-breaking effort was the highlight of the day at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, where the National Inter-State Championships are being held from June 24 to 28. The Kerala athlete's jump ended Anju Bobby George's 22-year reign as the national record holder in women's long jump. The performance also strengthens Ancy's credentials as one of India's leading track and field athletes ahead of upcoming international competitions. The championships also witnessed another national record fall in the men's high jump event. Sarvesh Kushare cleared 2.31 metres to establish a new national mark, surpassing Tejaswin Shankar's previous record of 2.29 metres. Several athletes have also secured qualification spots for the upcoming Asian Games through their performances in Bhubaneswar. Among them are pole vaulter Dev Meena, women's 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, hammer thrower Anushka Yadav and middle-distance runner Mohammed Afsal.