On a humid June afternoon, as India celebrated Olympic Day at the Reliance Foundation Celebration, long jumper Ancy Sojan took a rare detour from her intense training schedule to soak in the energy of the young aspiring athletes around her.
“I feel very good here, far from my regular training session. The children, the atmosphere it all felt really refreshing,” she smiled. “Back in my school days, I never had access to such facilities. So it’s special.”
That moment of nostalgia quickly transitioned into a reflection of how far Indian athletics has come and how she herself has become one of its beacons. “It’s great that today’s kids know what the Olympics mean. They’re asking about it, choosing idols like us. This kind of visibility in schools is the right kind of motivation.”
Breaking Through with Silver
The 23-year-old from Thrissur, Kerala recently made headlines by clinching a silver medal at the Asian Athletics Championships. It was a long-awaited breakthrough for Ancy, who narrowly missed the podium in 2023. “Last year, it was a near miss. This time, I earned it. It’s my first championship medal, and it reflects years of dedication, hard work and sacrifice,” she said. “Now, I want to make this a habit winning medals consistently on the international stage.”
However, the medal didn’t come easy. In the days leading up to the final, Ancy battled illness. “Just before the finals, I had a viral fever. I was feeling terrible, couldn’t even sit properly. I had to get treatment urgently,” she recalled. Despite the setback, she made it through qualifications and managed a solid jump in the final. “It definitely drained me, but I pushed through. The Taiwan meet came up just days later it’s been a packed season start.”
Domestic Rivalry Fueling Global Dreams
India’s women’s long jump scene is arguably in its strongest phase ever. Alongside Ancy, competitors like Shaili Singh have constantly pushed boundaries. “We see each other at every national and international meet. The rivalry is real and it’s good,” said Ancy. “Only when you have strong competition do you push yourself harder in training and mentally prepare better. We all know we can’t relax. That brings the best out of us.”
It’s not just about national medals anymore; it’s about taking Indian long jumping into uncharted territory specifically, the elusive 7-metre mark. “Yes, I’m chasing that 7-metre dream. It’s my big goal. If I can get there, the national record will automatically fall. I know it’s tough, but I’m not giving up. One day, it will be mine,” she declared with quiet confidence.
Every Centimeter Counts
In long jump, improvements are often measured in millimeters and so is success. For Ancy and her coach, the margin for error is razor-thin. “We’ve been focusing on technical corrections.
My takeoff used to be slightly off, but it’s getting better after three years of adjustments,” she explained. “This year, my speed dipped a bit compared to last. I also gained some muscle mass, so we’re now working on improving flexibility and recovering my sprinting form. All of it matters timing, force, angle.”
The Diamond League Dream
India’s recent success on global tracks led by Neeraj Chopra, Parul Chaudhary, and Gulveer Singh has set the bar high. For Ancy, the Diamond League remains a dream worth chasing. “To get into the Diamond League, you need to hit around 6.80 to 7.00 consistently. It’s not easy, but yes, I’d love to be there one day,” she said. “It’s something I’m aiming for.”
Home State Challenges, Corporate Support
Coming from Kerala a state known for producing elite athletes Ancy’s journey has been both inspired and hampered by its system. “Kerala has a great sports legacy, but lately there have been funding issues, even hostel closures,” she said. “It affects upcoming athletes. We need consistent support.”
That’s why her association with the Reliance Foundation has been a game-changer. “They’ve given me everything nutrition, physios, recovery support, mental health check-ins. I feel like the whole team is working just for me. Even paperwork, media they handle it so efficiently. I’m deeply grateful.”
The Social Media Equation
In today’s world, visibility off the track matters too. “I’m active on social media, yes,” she laughed. “But it’s not just for likes. It’s about being visible, telling your story. Sponsors, fans, federations everyone’s watching. You can’t just train and perform anymore. You have to be seen.”
Medals change expectations not just from the outside world, but from within. “After my international medal, the pressure increased. But I also look back and remember the 10 years of hard work that brought me here,” she said. “I often tell young athletes don’t give up. There were times I felt like quitting too. But I didn’t. And that’s why I’m still here.”
What’s next? “The next journey is even tougher. But I believe the right time will come again. I just have to be ready for it.”
From Barefoot in Thrissur to Asia’s Podiums
Ancy’s story is one of sheer perseverance. Born to a modest family her father is an auto driver she began athletics barefoot. “I used to be a runner too, not just a jumper. My dad couldn’t afford shoes, but he pushed me to train every morning. He wanted me to medal in various National & International championships.”
She remembers a curtain in their house where she hung her medals. “That was my dream to fill it. Today, that curtain is covered with my national medals. I love that sound of medals clinking. That’s my music.”
From that early vision came every step: “First, I wanted to play for India. Then came the Commonwealth Games. Then the Asian medal. Now it’s about global medals. Step by step, I’m building that dream.”
Message to India’s Young Girls
What would she tell a young girl from Thrissur or any part of India dreaming of representing the country one day?
“Start somewhere. Any sport. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Yes, there will be darkness no funding, no recognition, sometimes even self-doubt. Cry if you must, but don’t stop. Just do it. Enjoy the process. Forget the judgments. Only you know your journey. Keep moving.”
LA 2028: A Golden Goal
While Paris 2024 may be out of reach, Ancy has her sights set on the next big thing: Los Angeles 2028. “I want to be an Olympian. These next few years will be my peak. I’m working hard, and no matter what happens highs or lows I’ll be ready when the time comes.”
What’s heartening is how India’s mindset has shifted. “Earlier, just qualifying for the Olympics was a big deal. Now we talk about top-8 finishes, podiums. That’s because of people like Neeraj. When he won gold, it changed everything. Suddenly, every athlete began to believe ‘If he can, why not me?’”
She sees this confidence in national camps, international meets from the UAE Grand Prix to Taiwan. “We’re not there just to participate anymore. We’re there to compete.”
Ancy Sojan’s journey is far from over but it’s already one of the most inspiring in Indian athletics. From barefoot beginnings in Thrissur to rubbing shoulders with Asia’s best, she represents a new generation of Indian athletes: hungry, grounded, and unrelenting.
In a world where every centimeter counts, it’s her resilience that might just make the biggest leap. LA 2028 is four years away but for Ancy, it already lives in her training, her sweat, her dreams.
As she said herself, “The light may go off sometimes. The world may not see us. But we must keep going. The right time will come. And when it does, it will be ours.”
