Long Jump Star Ancy Sojan Gets A Place In National Squad

After creating a 6.36-metre record in long jump during the recent Khelo India Youth Games, 18-year old Ancy Sojan along with Sandra Babu has now found a place in the Indian squad for the 9th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. The squad consisting of 25 athletes will be participating in the Championship that will be held in Hangzhou, China from February 12.

Ancy's record in the KIYG, Guwahati this month got her a ticket to Hangzhou. She was the fastest athlete at the event. She was also a member of the India camp for the South Asian Games, which was held in Kathmandu. The athlete had participated in the Kerala state school athletics meet in Kannur and the national school meet in Sangrur in last October and December, respectively. She won the Under 21 long jump and the 100m dash gold medals at the Khelo Indian Youth Games 2020. Last year, Ancy had bagged triple gold at the National School Athletic Meet.

She won the Under 21 long jump and the 100m dash gold medals at the Khelo Indian Youth Games 2020.

Golden victory

With a 6.24-metre gold-winning jump, Ancy Sojan eclipsed the earlier national record set by Rudha Pattar (6.05m) of Maharashtra. She created this record at the State School Athletic Championship last year.

Key Takeaways:

• Ancy Sojan, the long jump star in the Khelo India Youth Games, along with Sandra Babu have been named in the 25-member Indian squad bound for 9th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships to be hosted by Hangzhou, China.
• Ancy set a record of 6.36m in long jump and secured a place for herself in the squad going to Hangzhou.
• She was the fastest athlete at the KIYG.

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Ancy's performance for her age was remarkable as she finished with her personal best jump of 6.30 metre at the KIYG. It was also the season’s best and the best among under-20 girls in India. She is a Plus-II student of Nattila government Fisheries HSS in Thrissur.

“Majority of the athletes in the national squad have been picked after the recent performances in the Khelo India Youth Games and all-India varsity meets. Most of them are catching up with their studies and will be appearing for their respective board and varsity exams too. So a camp may not be possible,” P Radhakrishnan Nair, the deputy chief coach of the Athletics Federation of India told the Times of India.

"I am proud to represent my country in the Asian indoor meet. Although, I have never competed in indoors, I will give my best and wish to bring a medal to my country. I'm also in fine form and hope to maintain it in China meet," Ancy told TOI.

Congratulations Ancy and we hope that from here you only go from strength to strength!

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Feature Image Credit: Khelo India

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