Silver in Japan sparks wild celebrations in Keralam’s Nattica
Long jumper Ancy Sojan’s parents Sojan and Jancy, along with Jebi Mather, Member of Parliament, celebrate her Asian Games silver medal at their home in Nattika, Thrissur on Sunday. | Photo credit: KKNAJEEB
Every jump she made in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan was followed by a collective gasp at long jumper Anca Sojan’s home in Nattica here. Eyes fixed on the screen, hands clasped in prayer, the family waited with bated breath.
The opening jump of 6.49 meters already made the family nervous. When Ancy stretched it to 6.53 meters on her fifth attempt, excitement ran through the house. Her father Sojan, mother Jancy, siblings and neighbors watched each jump with anticipation.
The battle remained fierce until the end. A powerful final jump by Chinese athlete Huang Yingying dimmed Ancy’s gold hopes. The family clasped hands again and prayed for a miracle in Ancy’s final jump. The golden leap never came. Celebrations yes. Firecrackers burst and sweets were distributed as Nattika celebrated her daughter’s next major international success. There was great pride on the faces all around.
“Winning silver for the country in two consecutive Asian Games is a great achievement,” Sojan said. Ancy also won silver at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Off stage
For the Sojan family, the medal has a meaning far beyond the podium. Sojan, an autorickshaw driver, put aside whatever savings he could from his earnings to support his children’s sporting dreams. Financial constraints never prevented him from supporting Ancy and her siblings.
Ancy’s journey began at the Government Fisheries High School in Nattica, where the young athlete gradually emerged as a national-level talent. Behind the last silver medal from the Asian Games are years of perseverance of an athlete and a family who still chose sports despite the difficulties.
The gold may have run away, but the silver added another bright chapter to the family’s extraordinary sporting journey.
Published – 27 Sep 2026 23:18 IST