Long Jumper Ancy Sojan Bounces Back With Third-Best Jump

Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan just recorded the third-best jump in national history, and her journey back to the top is even more impressive than the distance.

The 25-year-old Asian Games silver medallist soared to a personal best of 6.75 meters at the Federation Cup in Ranchi. Her mark places her behind only legendary Anju Bobby George (6.83m) and Shaili Singh (6.76m) in the Indian record books.

But the real story isn't just about one big jump. Ancy recorded five of her six attempts over 6.50 meters, a remarkable feat considering she only crossed that mark once during her entire 2025 season.

Last year tested Ancy in ways no competition ever could. She struggled with hormonal issues that made losing weight incredibly difficult, and the mental weight of hearing doubters say her comeback was impossible.

"I heard lots of people saying that it will be tough for me to come back and any athlete can beat me," Ancy shared with reporters. "However, I thought that let them talk. I will train with all my heart and make a comeback."

The path back required serious sacrifice. Ancy overhauled her diet and intensified her training under coach Anoop Joseph's guidance, understanding that championship performances demand championship discipline.

"I was struggling with hormonal issues and it was very hard for me to lose weight," she explained. "Because I know, if I want a good performance, I need to sacrifice and be disciplined."

Why This Inspires

Her consistency at Federation Cup caught everyone's attention. James Hillier, head coach of the Reliance Athletics program, emphasized how remarkable her performance was beyond the headline number.

"If you look how many times she crossed the 6.50m mark, it will tell you the story," Hillier said. "The key for her is to remain consistent throughout the season."

That consistency started building in February when Ancy won bronze at the Asian Indoor Championships. The medal didn't just add hardware to her collection; it rebuilt her confidence after months of doubt and struggle.

"The Asian Indoor Championships gave her the confidence back and she just picked it up from there," Hillier noted. He's confident she'll shine at the upcoming Asian Games.

Ancy's first goal at Federation Cup wasn't about breaking records or hitting qualification marks. She wanted to complete all six jumps without a single foul, proving to herself that her technical skills and mental focus had returned.

She accomplished that goal while her jump distances climbed steadily throughout the competition. The upward graph tells the story of an athlete who refused to let setbacks define her future.