Ancy Sojan wins second consecutive Asian Games silver in long jump

Long-jumper Ancy Sojan won silver at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, triggering celebrations at her family home in Nattika, Thrissur, on Sunday. Her parents, Sojan and Jancy, relatives and neighbours followed the competition on television. Ancy’s opening jump measured 6.49 metres, before she improved to 6.53 metres with her fifth attempt.

The contest remained close until the final rounds. A strong last jump by Chinese athlete Huang Yingying ended Ancy’s hopes of gold, but her silver medal gave her a second consecutive Asian Games podium finish. Firecrackers were set off and sweets were distributed at the family home after the result.

Her father described winning silver for India at two successive Asian Games as a significant achievement. The medal also carried importance for the family because of the financial challenges surrounding Ancy’s sporting career. Sojan, an autorickshaw driver, used savings from his earnings to support the sporting ambitions of his children.

The family continued to back Ancy and her siblings despite those constraints. Her athletic development began at Government Fisheries Higher Secondary School in Nattika, where she gradually emerged as a national-level competitor. Ancy had previously won silver at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

The latest result therefore adds another major international achievement to her career, even though the gold medal remained out of reach in Japan. Her performance was watched closely in Nattika, where each attempt brought anticipation among family members, friends and neighbours. The celebration followed the final jump despite the disappointment of missing the top position.