Bengaluru: Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan, known for her impressive performances on the field, is unwavering in her determination to rebound after missing out on a podium finish at the recent Asian Athletics Championships held in Bangkok. The 22-year-old athlete, hailing from Thrissur, has resumed her training at the Sports Authority of India’s Bengaluru centre, eager to hone her skills ahead of the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, scheduled to commence on September 23.
Despite her best efforts, Ancy finished fourth in Bangkok with a jump of 6.45m. Her compatriot Shaili Singh secured the silver medal with an effort of 6.54m, while Japanese athlete Sumire Hata claimed the gold with a new championship record of 6.97m. Chinese jumper Zhong Jiawei (6.46m) edged past Ancy to clinch the bronze medal.
According to a reports, reflecting on her performance in Bangkok, Ancy expressed her slight disappointment, noting that she had jumped close to 6.6 metres on her third attempt, but unfortunately, it was ruled a foul. However, she remains optimistic and focused on enhancing her skills and form for the upcoming challenges.
Ancy and Shaili have developed a healthy rivalry in the long jump pit. Shaili, mentored by former World Championship bronze medallist Anju Bobby George, achieved a personal best of 6.76m in April, while Ancy holds a personal best of 6.56m. Despite their competitive spirit, Ancy believes that on any given day, either of them is capable of outperforming the other.
For Ancy, the Asian Championships were her second major championship after the Birmingham Commonwealth Games last year. At the Commonwealth Games, she narrowly missed the finals, finishing 13th with a best jump of 6.25m. Ancy acknowledges that major competitions pose unique challenges, such as understanding wind movement during the event and being in tune with her body condition.
As Ancy looks ahead to the Hangzhou Asian Games, she is confident in her abilities and optimistic about her prospects. Both Ancy and Shaili surpassed the qualifying mark of 6.45 metres at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar last month. Ancy secured the gold with a jump of 6.51m, while Shaili finished a close second with 6.49m.
Anticipating tougher competition in Hangzhou, Ancy aims to soar to new heights and target jumps in the 6.6–6.7 m range to secure a spot on the podium. Her unwavering determination and dedication to her craft make her a formidable contender in the long jump event.
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