Our Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram
Indian athletics witnessed a historic moment as Kerala’s Ancy Sojan shattered one of the country’s longest-standing records by breaking legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George’s 22-year-old national mark in the women’s long jump at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
Sojan produced a stunning leap of 6.88 metres in her fifth attempt to surpass Anju Bobby George’s previous national record of 6.83 metres, which was set during the 2004 Athens Olympics. The achievement ended a record that had remained untouched for nearly two decades and marked a major milestone in Indian track and field history.
The 25-year-old athlete’s performance not only earned her the gold medal but also placed her among the top long jumpers in Asia. Her record-breaking jump came after a consistent effort throughout the competition, where she improved her performance with each attempt before producing the historic mark.
Sojan’s journey to the record has been shaped by discipline, determination and personal sacrifices. Reports highlighted her focus on fitness and training, including changes to her lifestyle that helped her improve her athletic performance.
The record-breaking day in Bhubaneswar also saw another national record fall, with high jumper Sarvesh Kushare clearing 2.31 metres to better the previous men’s high jump national record. The championships showcased the growing strength of Indian athletics and the emergence of a new generation of athletes.
Anju Bobby George, one of India’s greatest athletes and the previous record holder, congratulated Sojan after the milestone achievement, calling it a proud moment and acknowledging that records are eventually meant to be broken.
Sojan’s historic jump has opened a new chapter in Indian athletics, carrying forward the legacy created by Anju Bobby George while inspiring the next generation of athletes.
