Sojan Soars: Ancy Breaks 22-Year Long Jump Record

Pearl Doshi - Gujarat Bureau Jun 28, 2026 1,650 Views

Ancy Sojan has set a new Indian national record in the women's long jump with a 6.88m leap at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. She surpassed Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old mark of 6.83m, signaling a new era of competitiveness in Indian track and field.

BHUBANESWAR — Indian track and field athlete Ancy Sojan made history on Saturday, June 27, 2026, by shattering the long-standing national record in the women’s long jump at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships held at Kalinga Stadium. The 25-year-old athlete produced a stunning leap of 6.88 metres, finally surpassing the legendary 6.83-metre mark set by Anju Bobby George nearly 22 years ago.

The performance served as the highlight of the fourth day of the championships, cementing Sojan’s status as the new benchmark for long jumping in India. The atmosphere at Kalinga Stadium turned electric as the official scoreboard confirmed the record-breaking distance, ending a long-standing reign for Anju Bobby George, whose record had remained unbroken since the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

A Historic Leap of Faith

Sojan, representing the Services team, displayed remarkable consistency throughout the event. After opening with a strong 6.73-metre jump—which already surpassed the Asian Games qualifying standard of 6.48 metres—she hit a foul in the second attempt. Following subsequent efforts of 6.67 metres and 6.72 metres, she delivered the historic 6.88-metre jump during her fifth attempt under legal wind conditions of +0.7m/s.

"I was looking anxiously at the board for my mark," Sojan said following the event. The athlete, who previously secured a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, attributed her success to a disciplined training regimen and a focused approach to overcoming physical and dietary challenges over the past year.

Why It Matters

This development is significant not only for the record books but for the future of Indian representation in international track and field. With Shaili Singh (6.67 metres) and Mubassina Mohammed (6.53 metres) also breaching the Asian Games qualification mark in the same event, the depth of the field suggests a surge in competitiveness. For investors and sponsors in Indian sports, the emergence of a new national record-holder in a flagship event provides increased visibility and momentum ahead of the 2026 international circuit.

Key Facts at a Glance

New National Record: 6.88 metres by Ancy Sojan.
Record Toppled: Anju Bobby George’s 6.83-metre mark (set in 2004).
Event: National Inter-State Athletics Championships 2026, Bhubaneswar.
Qualification: Sojan and podium finishers Shaili Singh and Mubassina Mohammed all surpassed the Asian Games qualifying mark.