Indian athletics witnessed one of its most iconic moments on Saturday as Kerala’s Ancy Sojan shattered the long-standing women’s long jump national record, soaring to a magnificent 6.88m at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championships 2026.
The remarkable jump came on her fifth attempt and erased the legendary mark of 6.83m set by Anju Bobby George in 2004. For more than two decades, the record had stood untouched despite several generations of Indian jumpers attempting to surpass it.
Now, that historic benchmark belongs to the 25-year-old Ancy Sojan.
Competing in excellent form, Ancy produced the performance of her career when it mattered most. As the competition reached its decisive stages, she unleashed a near-perfect jump, landing at 6.88m and sending the stadium into celebration. The effort not only secured the national record but also strengthened her status as one of Asia’s leading long jumpers.
Ancy’s rise has been years in the making. The Kerala athlete has steadily developed into a consistent international performer, representing India at major global competitions, including the Asian Games and World Championships. Known for her explosive speed on the runway and technical consistency, she has been among the country’s best jumpers for several seasons.
In recent years, Ancy has repeatedly threatened the national record, producing a series of jumps beyond 6.70m and establishing herself as a genuine medal contender at the continental level. However, surpassing Anju Bobby George’s iconic mark remained one of the biggest challenges in Indian athletics.
That challenge has now been conquered.
The significance of the record extends beyond the numbers. Anju Bobby George’s 6.83m symbolized an era in which Indian athletics first began making a mark on the global stage. Breaking that record signals the arrival of a new generation capable of pushing Indian field events to even greater heights.