Nagoya, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : Ancy Sojan, who recently clinched a silver medal in women’s long jump at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, reflected on her challenging journey and the sacrifices made by her father, an auto driver.
Sojan achieved a jump of 6.53 meters, securing her place in the gold medal race. However, she was narrowly edged out by China’s Huang Yingying, who leaped 6.55 meters. This medal marks Sojan’s first international achievement in a long time.
Recalling her early days, Ancy shared that she began her training barefoot. Her father faced skepticism from others when he took her for morning practices. Many questioned whether she could build a career in athletics.
After her silver medal win, Ancy stated, “In the beginning, we had nothing. I started training barefoot. People asked why I was sending my daughter to train with that man in the early mornings. Was it safe? Would she ever reach that level? Today, no one can imagine how far I have come, but it is a result of my hard work and my father’s dedication. He stood by me like a rock during my injuries. Initially, I never thought I would bring honor to India at this level.”
Ancy emphasized that her silver medal is a testament to the trust her family and supporters placed in her throughout her journey. “We waited a long time, and after ten years, I received my first international medal. This is a significant reward for the faith they had in me,” she added.
At 26 years old, Ancy admitted she had hoped for a gold medal but felt satisfied with her performance, especially given the challenging conditions in Nagoya. “I did expect a gold medal, but considering the weather, this result isn’t bad. It’s easy to watch from the sidelines, but competing is incredibly tough. I gave it my all and am happy with the silver,” she said.
She dedicated the medal to her hard work and the sacrifices made during a demanding season, acknowledging the contributions of her coach and father. “I worked very hard and credit my coach and father for my performance. I aimed to reach 7 meters, but the competition has intensified. This isn’t the end, but my season concludes here. Therefore, I am dedicating my efforts and sacrifices even more,” she remarked.
This silver medal caps off a remarkable season for Ancy, who earlier set a national record of 6.88 meters at the World Athletics Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar this year.
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