"We are growing like world-class jumpers": Ancy Sojan after record-breaking performance at National Inter-State Athletics C'ships
Bhubaneswar, June 28
Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan said her record-breaking performance at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships, where she eclipsed Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old national record, reflects India's growing stature in world-class athletics.
She added that her focus is on maintaining consistency and winning a gold medal at the Asian Games.
In the long jump, Ancy, 25, made a sensational leap of 6.88 m, outdoing Anju's long-held national record of 6.83 m, which was made during the 2004 Athens Olympics.
"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 told ANI.
Maharashtra's seasoned high jumper Sarvesh Anil Kushare, 31, was the second athlete on Saturday who etched his name in record books as he improved the men's high jump record to 2.31m. The previous national record of 2.29m was set by Tejaswin Shankar in 2018. Sarvesh further raised the bar to 2.35m but wasn't successful.
Speaking to ANI, Kushare said he is happy to have set a new national record of 2.31m but is aiming for even better performances. He said his focus is now on preparing for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games and expressed his ambition to win a gold medal.
"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 said.
Notably, several athletes like Dev Meena (pole vault men's), Jyothi Yarraji (women's 100 m hurdles), Anushka Yadav (hammer throw women's), and Mohammed Afsal (800 m men's) are among the athletes who have secured an Asian Games spot through their performances at the championships taking place from June 24 to 28 in Kalinga Stadium at Bhubaneswar.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So proud of Ancy and Sarvesh! Two national records in one day is incredible. The fact that Sarvesh tried 2.35m after breaking the record shows the hunger these athletes have. Hope the government and sports federations provide them with all the support they need for Asian Games and CWG. 🙌
Great to see so many athletes qualifying for Asian Games! Dev Meena in pole vault, Jyothi Yarraji in hurdles, Anushka Yadav in hammer throw—this is a golden generation. But I hope the focus is on long-term development too. One good championship doesn't mean we've arrived. Need consistent performances at World Championships and Olympics.
As someone who follows athletics globally, this is really impressive. 6.88m is a world-class jump—Ancy would be competitive at the Olympics with that. And Sarvesh's 2.31m in high jump is equally outstanding. Indian athletics is definitely on the rise. Hope they can maintain this momentum!
Superb performance by Ancy! But let's not forget—Anju Bobby George's record stood for 22 years. That's the kind of consistency we need. Ancy said she wants to be "consistent like this." I hope she means it. One great jump is good, but doing it in every competition is what makes a legend. Best of luck for Asian Games! 🏅
So happy for Sarvesh Kushare! At 31, he's proving age is just a number. And his honesty about not being fully satisfied—that's
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