Moumita Mondal and Ancy Sojan: India's Long Jump Duo Unite at Asian Indoor Athletics
When Moumita Mondal sprints down the runway at the Tuanbo Sports Center in Tianjin, China, this Sunday, aiming for a monumental leap in the long jump final of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, she will have a special cheerleader in her corner: Ancy Sojan. Beyond being two of India's premier long jumpers, trailing only Shaili Singh in national rankings, these athletes from West Bengal and Kerala share a deep friendship that fuels their training and competition.
A Bond Forged on the Track
Ancy Sojan, who hails from Thrissur, Kerala, expressed admiration for Moumita's skills, stating, "I feel like we both have the same vibes. I think she's a good sprinter, and whenever she is running, I watch her because I feel my technique is wrong." Moumita, in turn, seeks to absorb as much as possible from Ancy's expertise in long jump. Ancy boasts an impressive resume, including a silver medal at the last Asian Games with a jump of 6.63 meters and a personal best of 6.71 meters, placing her third on India's all-time list.
Moumita Mondal is not far behind, with a personal best of 6.45 meters achieved during last year's Fed Cup and a gold medal at the national games in Dehradun. Reflecting on their training dynamic, Moumita said, "Usually, I practise long jumps only once a day in the week with Ancy and didn't think about it much earlier. But now I guess I concentrate a bit more on this. Also, training with Ancy is special because we understand each other well and she helps me rectify my mistakes." Since 2023, Moumita has been training in Mumbai, and she believes their strong bond will enable both to perform at their peak.
Overcoming Indoor Challenges
This event marks their first indoor competition, presenting a significant hurdle. To acclimatize, they trained at the Indoor Athletics Centre in Bhubaneswar. Ancy shared her initial impressions: "When I did my jumps here for the first time, I felt like the runway was unstable and the jump was very flat. Outdoors, it was better than that. So, I need to adjust the runway by moving it forward and backward." Under the guidance of coach Anoop Joseph, she is focusing on technical improvements, adding, "I need to work on my runway, especially in the takeoff area. My stride length is getting long there, which is causing a lot of fouls. So, I need to get that right and also work on some posture correction."
Meanwhile, Moumita is also preparing for the 60-meter hurdles, another event she will contest at the Asian Indoors from February 6-8. She highlighted a key adjustment needed: "I get too close to the first hurdles which isn't apt for a short-heighted athlete like me, so I will have to work on that." Despite managing an injury on her right shoulder that requires surgery, she remains determined to excel.
Dreaming of Asian Games Glory
In the long term, Moumita aims to shift her primary focus to long jump, dreaming of a podium finish at the Asian Games. After missing out on the Asian Athletics last year, she is eager to make a significant impact, with friend Ancy by her side. Their camaraderie and mutual support underscore a promising future for Indian athletics, as they navigate the challenges of indoor competition and strive for international success.
