Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan missed out on the Asian Games gold medal by just two centimeters, ultimately securing her second consecutive silver. Following the tight competition, the 25-year-old athlete shared a surprising personal desire: a phone call from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, widely known as Thalapathy Vijay.

After the event, Ancy expressed her deep appreciation for the actor-turned-politician's inspirational speeches and personality, noting how much a gesture from him would mean to her. Her second-place finish was locked in after China’s Huang Yingying hit a mark of 6.55m on her final attempt to take the top spot.

“I wish I get a call from him. I like his motivation and all, that's all I wanna say. I'd be very happy if he calls me,” Ancy said.

A long-standing fan, she previously celebrated her victory at the Indian Athletics Championships final in New Delhi by mimicking Vijay's trademark triumph pose.

A true inspiration

A mixture of pride and slight disappointment filled the home of long jumper Ancy Sojan in Nattika as her family, local residents, and Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather gathered to watch her win a silver medal for India at the Asian Games. While the family had set their sights on the gold, the achievement was celebrated with fireworks and local well-wishers arriving to offer congratulations.

Speaking to reporters, Ancy’s father, Sojan—an autorickshaw driver who, alongside his family, has dedicated 10 to 15 years to supporting her athletics career—expressed gratitude for bringing home a medal for the country. He noted that although they hoped for a stronger final jump to capture gold, adverse weather conditions and heavy rain impacted her performance and prevented a top-tier distance. Despite missing the top spot, he emphasized that securing second place at such a prestigious event remains deeply gratifying.

Echoing these sentiments, Ancy’s mother, Jansy, highlighted her daughter's lifelong determination and mental toughness. She observed that the rainy weather created challenging conditions for all competitors, keeping many from achieving their best marks. Nonetheless, she praised Ancy’s resilience in securing the silver under tough circumstances.

Looking ahead, the family remains focused on future milestones. Sojan stated that their next primary objective is to prepare for the upcoming World Championship, channeling this success into the next stage of her international career. (Agencies)