Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan delivered a record-breaking performance at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, surpassing Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old national record with a leap of 6.88 meters. The 25-year-old athlete described her achievement as a statement of India's growing prowess in world-class athletics.
Record-Breaking Leap at Kalinga Stadium
Competing at the Kalinga Stadium on June 28, Ancy Sojan eclipsed the previous national record of 6.83 meters set by Anju Bobby George during the 2004 Athens Olympics. Her sensational jump of 6.88 meters marks a new milestone in Indian long jump history.
Speaking to ANI, Sojan emphasized her focus on consistency and her ambition to win a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games. "This is a statement that we are also growing like world-class jumpers. I want to be consistent like this. It is the result of hard work that I got my first international medal after 10 years. I want to win a gold medal in the Asian Games," she said.
Sarvesh Kushare Sets New High Jump Record
On the same day, Maharashtra's seasoned high jumper Sarvesh Anil Kushare, 31, also etched his name in the record books. He improved the men's high jump national record to 2.31 meters, surpassing the previous mark of 2.29 meters set by Tejaswin Shankar in 2018. Kushare attempted 2.35 meters but was unsuccessful.
Kushare expressed satisfaction with his new national record but stated his desire for even better performances. "I set a national record of 2.31m, but I am not fully satisfied yet. I want to perform even better going forward. My full focus will now be on the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Since both competitions are coming up within a month, the main focus will be on training, assessing the current situation and determining the level of preparation required. It was everyone's support that enabled me to set this national record today. I aim to win a gold medal," he told ANI.
Multiple Athletes Secure Asian Games Spots
The National Inter-State Athletics Championships, held from June 24 to 28 at Kalinga Stadium, served as a qualifying event for the Asian Games. Several athletes, including Dev Meena (men's pole vault), Jyothi Yarraji (women's 100m hurdles), Anushka Yadav (women's hammer throw), and Mohammed Afsal (men's 800m), secured their spots based on their performances at the championships.
These achievements highlight the depth of talent in Indian athletics and the growing competitiveness on the international stage.
