Thrissur’s Ancy Sojan aims for 7m long jump and Asian Games gold
Ancy Sojan, a long jumper from Thrissur, Kerala, is setting her sights on achieving a 7-meter jump and securing a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games. Her ambition follows a recent gold medal win at the Indian Open World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level meet in Bhubaneswar, where she recorded a jump of 6.71m.
This victory at the Kalinga Stadium holds particular significance for Sojan, as it is the same venue where she previously established a new national record. Two months prior, she broke a 22-year-old national record in women’s long jump at the national inter-state senior athletics championships with a leap of 6.88m. This performance surpassed the 6.83m record set by Anju Bobby George at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Preparation and Aspirations
Sojan expressed her satisfaction with the recent gold medal win, noting that the event served as a warm-up before the Asian Games. She highlighted the importance of maintaining her rhythm and praised the Kalinga Stadium as one of the country’s premier venues. Her ultimate goal is to win the Asian Games gold medal for her country in Japan.
Despite previous injury setbacks, Sojan confirmed she is now fully fit, attributing her recovery to the support of her coach, physio, and dietitians. Her future target is to achieve 7m jumps. She plans to focus on her runway and jump technique during an upcoming team camp.
Maintaining a strict, calorie-counted diet is a key part of Sojan’s preparation, as she aims to remain light to facilitate longer jumps. This disciplined approach is crucial for her performance.
Journey from Nattika to National Record
Sojan’s journey in athletics began on the vast shoreline of Nattika, a fishing hamlet in central Kerala. Her father, an autorickshaw driver, would take her to the beach where she would sprint on the loose sands. This early training, though unintentional, helped build strength in her calves and ankles, as noted by P Ramachandran, a sprinter from Nattika who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics 4x400m relay.
Her coach, Anoop Joseph, further explained that running on uneven sand helps stabilise the body’s ankles, feet, and core, which is beneficial for control during approach and takeoff in long jump. Sojan transitioned to long jump around 2015, winning a bronze medal with a 4.93m jump at the U-14 state school games. She made a significant impact on the Indian athletics scene in 2019 with a 6.26m jump at the National School Athletics meet in Sangrur, Punjab.
Her childhood coach, Sanoj VV, who was instrumental in her switch from sprinting to long jump, had predicted that Sojan would break George’s national record. Following her 6.88m leap in Bhubaneswar, she received numerous accolades, including a congratulatory call from the Kerala chief minister. However, Anoop Joseph maintained a cautious perspective, stating that while it was a technically perfect jump, there is still work to be done on her motor qualities, speed, and strength.
The Legacy of Long Jump Records
The world record in women’s long jump, 7.52m, was set by Galina Chistyakova in 1988, the same year Jackie Joyner-Kersee set the Olympic record of 7.4m at Seoul. Sojan had previously secured a silver medal at the last Asian Games with a jump of 6.63m, while the gold in that edition was won by Xiong Shiqi with a 6.73m jump.
The progression of the national women’s long jump record has historically been a contest between Karnataka and Kerala. Since Karnataka’s Angel Mary Joseph became the first Indian to exceed the 6m mark in 1978, only seven athletes have held the record. Before Sojan’s 6.88m mark in June, the honours were evenly split between the two southern states.
Mercy Mathew, a former record holder from the early 1980s, expressed surprise that Anju Bobby George’s record stood for 22 years, despite other athletes showing potential. Mathew believes Sojan is capable of adding another 10-12cm to her current record, describing her as an aggressive athlete who performs well under pressure. Mathew’s personal best was 6.26m at the 1982 Asian Games, where she won silver. George’s record-breaking era began on August 3, 1999, with a 6.37m jump, culminating in her personal best of 6.83m in the 2004 Olympics final.
Sojan’s preparation for Japan includes participating in the World Athletics Continental Tour in Bhubaneswar, which began on August 22, and the Indian Athletics Series in Delhi from September 10.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Priya Menon 