New Delhi, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to Indian athletes Harita Bhadra and Ancy Sojan for their impressive performances at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. On Sunday, Harita secured a bronze medal in the women’s 200 meters, while Ancy achieved a silver in the women’s long jump.
In a post on X, President Murmu expressed her heartfelt congratulations to Harita, stating, “Your bronze medal in the highly competitive women’s 200 meters race at the Asian Games 2026 is commendable. You showcased remarkable performance and resilience. May you continue to strive for excellence.”
Regarding Ancy’s achievement, the President wrote, “Congratulations to Ancy Sojan for winning the silver medal in the women’s long jump at the Asian Games 2026. Your performance in the thrilling final is a testament to your skill and determination. May you reach even greater heights.”
Harita clinched the bronze with a time of 23.20 seconds, finishing just 0.01 seconds ahead of Japan’s runner. Singapore’s Veronica Shanti Pereira won gold with a time of 22.78 seconds, while China’s Chen Yujie took silver at 22.93 seconds. Another Indian athlete, Unnati Aiyappa Bolland, finished sixth with a time of 23.46 seconds.
With this medal, India marks its return to the podium in the women’s 200 meters at the Asian Games for the first time since 2018, when Dutee Chand won bronze. The 23-year-old Harita was competing in her first Asian Games and had previously set her personal best of 23.14 seconds at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships.
Ancy Sojan also delivered an exciting performance in the women’s long jump, starting with a jump of 6.49 meters, which kept her in contention for the lead. In the fifth round, China’s Huang Yingying matched her jump, but Ancy responded with a leap of 6.53 meters to reclaim the lead.
In a dramatic final attempt, Huang managed to jump 6.55 meters, edging Ancy by just two centimeters. Ancy’s last jump was 6.49 meters, securing her silver. Another Indian competitor, Shaili Singh, finished fourth with a jump of 6.42 meters, while China’s Mengyi Tan took bronze with a jump of 6.46 meters.
The 2026 season has been remarkable for Ancy, who set a national record earlier this year with a jump of 6.88 meters at the World Athletics Continental Tour in Bhubaneswar.
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