Meet Ancy Sojan, auto-rickshaw driver's daughter who broke Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long-jump record

Indian athletics has found a new star. Ancy Sojan, a 25-year-old athlete from a small fishing village in Kerala, has etched her name in history by breaking a 22-year-old national record in women's long jump. Her stunning leap of 6.88 metres at the National Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar not only made her India's new long-jump queen but also surpassed the long-standing national record of 6.83m held by legendary athlete Anju Bobby George.

The achievement has sparked celebrations across the country, especially in her hometown of Nattika in Kerala's Thrissur district, where Ancy's journey began.

Ancy Sojan's Historic 6.88m Jump

Ancy produced the jump of her life in Bhubaneswar, rewriting Indian athletics history. Her 6.88m effort eclipsed the record set by Anju Bobby George during the 2004 Athens Olympics, a mark that had remained untouched for more than two decades.


The feat immediately elevated Ancy to the top of Indian women's long jump and strengthened her credentials as one of the country's brightest athletics prospects.

A Dream Fulfilled for Her Father

Behind Ancy's success is a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and unrealized dreams.

Her father, Sojan ET, once aspired to achieve success in athletics himself. However, limited training facilities and opportunities prevented him from progressing in the sport. Today, he works as an auto-rickshaw driver in Nattika.

Reacting to his daughter's achievement, he said he was living his dream through Ancy. The record-breaking jump represented years of sacrifices and unwavering belief in his daughter's talent.

Ancy dedicated her historic achievement to her father, describing it as a reward for the trust and support he had shown throughout her journey.

The Coach Who Believed in Her

Ancy's rise is also closely linked to her childhood coach, Sanoj VV.

Like her father, Sanoj was a talented district-level athlete whose sporting ambitions were cut short due to a lack of opportunities. He later started a small athletics academy to help young talents pursue their dreams.

Sanoj first spotted Ancy's potential when she was just 13 years old. At the 2015 Under-14 State School Games, she won a bronze medal with a jump of 4.93m, impressing him with her natural ability.

Years later, his prediction came true. In 2019, Sanoj boldly stated that Ancy would one day break Anju Bobby George's national record. Many doubted him at the time, but Ancy has now proven him right.

From a Fishing Village to National Glory

Ancy comes from a modest Syrian Christian family in Nattika. Her mother, Jansy, is a homemaker, while her brother Dominic is studying business administration. Her younger sister Anjali is also interested in long jump and hopes to follow in Ancy's footsteps.

Financial challenges were a constant part of the family's life. Yet despite limited resources, Ancy continued to train and improve.

She first gained national recognition in 2019 when she jumped 6.26m at the National School Athletics Meet in Punjab. Since then, she has steadily climbed the ranks of Indian athletics.

Eyes Set on the 7-Metre Barrier

While breaking the national record is a major milestone, Ancy believes her best performances are still ahead.

The Asian Games silver medallist is now targeting the prestigious 7-metre mark, a benchmark achieved by elite long jumpers worldwide. She has been working extensively on technical aspects of her jump, particularly her landing technique and consistency.

Her father and coach are equally confident that she can cross the 7m barrier in the future.

Even Anju Bobby George has backed Ancy's potential, calling her jump "world-class" and encouraging her to aim for medals at the World Championships and the Olympics.

An Inspiration for Young Athletes

Ancy Sojan's journey is a powerful reminder that talent can emerge from any corner of India. From a small fishing village in Kerala to becoming the nation's record-holder, her story reflects determination, hard work, and the support of people who never stopped believing in her.

Today, Ancy Sojan stands as India's new long-jump queen. And if her recent performances are any indication, the best chapters of her remarkable story are yet to be written.