Historically! Ancy Sojan broke Anju Bobby George’s 22-year-old national record

India’s Ancy Sojan Edappilly (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan) Indian athletics witnessed a historic day at the National Inter-State Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar where two long-standing national records were broken. Kerala’s Ancy Sojan produced a stunning performance in the women’s long jump to break a record that stood for more than two decades and was held by one of India’s greatest athletes, Anju Bobby George.25-year-old Ancy jumped 6.88 meters and set a new national record, bettering Anju Bobby George’s previous mark of 6.83 meters which was achieved during the 2004 Olympic season in Athens. Her achievement marks a major milestone in Indian athletics and signals the arrival of a new benchmark in the event.Ancy’s record-breaking effort was the highlight of the day at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, where the National Inter-State Championship is being held from June 24-28. The jump by the Kerala athlete ended Anju Bobby George’s 22-year reign as the national record holder in women’s long jump.The performance will also strengthen Ancy’s reputation as one of India’s premier athletes in athletics ahead of the upcoming international competitions.The championships also saw another fall of the national record in the men’s high jump. Sarvesh Kushare cleared 2.31 meters to create a new national mark, beating Tejaswin Shankar’s previous record of 2.29 meters.Several athletes also secured qualification spots for the upcoming Asian Games with their performances in Bhubaneswar. They include pole vaulter Dev Meena, 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, hammer thrower Anushka Yadav and middle distance runner Mohammed Afsal.