Kochi: Kerala long jumper Ancy Sojan etched her name into Indian athletics history by breaking the 22-year-old national long jump record held by legendary Olympian Anju Bobby George at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

The 25-year-old produced a sensational leap of 6.88 metres on the fourth day of the championships, surpassing the previous national record of 6.83 metres set by Anju Bobby George during the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Hailing from Nattika in Thrissur district, Ancy’s journey to the top of Indian athletics has been built on years of perseverance and family support.

Born on March 1, 2001, Ancy developed an interest in athletics while studying at Government Fisheries School, Nattika, before continuing her sporting career alongside her studies at St. Thomas College, Thrissur.

Athletics runs in the family. Her father, Sojan ET, was a promising athlete in his younger days and a classmate of Olympian Purukottam Ramachandran at Central UP School, Thrissur. Although financial constraints forced him to give up his sporting ambitions and work as an autorickshaw driver, he remained determined to help his daughter achieve the dream he could not.

His unwavering support has paid off, with Ancy emerging as one of India’s finest long jumpers. Before her latest record-breaking feat, she won silver medals at the 2022 Asian Games and the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships.