Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi | May 22, 2026 | 18:00 IST
The stage is set. The runway is ready. And six of India’s finest long jumpers are primed to take flight.
The Women’s Long Jump event at the Federation Cup 2026 promises to be one of the most compelling track and field contests of the domestic calendar year. Scheduled for Day 1 of the meet at Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, the event gets underway at 18:00 IST — and with the Commonwealth Games qualification mark looming large, the stakes could not be higher.
Ancy Sojan: The Woman in Form
All eyes will be on Ancy Sojan, who arrives in Ranchi as India’s in-form long jumper and the current national season leader. Her 2026 season best of 6.54m, backed by a personal best of 6.71m, places her at the top of the domestic pecking order. Earlier this year, Ancy claimed a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor Championships — a performance that announced her intent and confirmed she is in the form of her life. She enters Federation Cup as the clear favourite, but she knows that resting on recent laurels is not an option.
Shaili Singh: The Perennial Contender
Hot on Ancy’s heels is Shaili Singh, arguably the most talented long jumper India has produced in a generation. With a personal best of 6.76m — the best in this field — Shaili is technically the athlete closest to the Commonwealth Games qualification mark. Her season best of 6.52m suggests she is still finding top gear, but when Shaili is on song, few in Asia can match her. A big performance in Ranchi would do wonders for her confidence ahead of a packed international season.
The Rest of the Field
The competition does not end there. Mubassina (PB/SB: 6.38m) and Pariksha (PB/SB: 6.10m) both come in with their personal bests also serving as their season bests, meaning they have room to grow — and surprise. Bhavani Yadav (SB: 6.27m, PB: 6.44m) and Sherin (SB: 6.07m, PB: 6.45m) are experienced campaigners who cannot be written off, particularly in the charged atmosphere of a national championship.
The Commonwealth Games Shadow
Hovering over every jump will be the Commonwealth Games 2026 qualification standard of 6.84m — a mark that demands not just excellence, but history. To hit that standard, an Indian athlete would need to surpass Anju Bobby George’s national record of 6.83m, a mark that has stood for over two decades and remains one of Indian athletics’ most celebrated achievements. It is a mountain of a task, but Federation Cup provides the platform, the competition, and the motivation.
Whether or not the national record falls on Thursday evening, this promises to be a breathtaking contest between six athletes all chasing the same dream — to fly further than any Indian woman ever has.
Federation Cup 2026 runs from May 22–25 at Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi.