Malayali long jumper Ancy Sojan is heading for the Asian Games with renewed confidence after recently breaking a 22-year-old national record in the women’s long jump. Having won silver at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Ancy is aiming to upgrade that performance and win gold this time.

Ancy broke the national record of 6.83 metres set by fellow Malayali Anju Bobby George at the 2004 Athens Olympics, leaping 6.88 metres at the Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar in June. At the previous Asian Games, she won silver with a jump of 6.63 metres.

Ranked among the leading long jumpers in Asia, Ancy is one of India’s major gold medal hopes. She won silver at last year’s Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. In February this year, she finished third with a jump of 6.21 metres at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Jinan, China.

Currently training in Bhubaneswar ahead of the Asian Games, Ancy will continue her preparations there until September 8. She will then take part in a fitness competition in New Delhi on September 10 before travelling to Japan.

Shaili Singh will also compete in the long jump alongside Ancy.