India’s first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event is set to make history at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium on August 10, 2025. And among the star attractions of the meet, none shine brighter than the Women’s Long Jump a marquee event that features a thrilling domestic rivalry, international challenge, and a platform for rising talent.
The field will be led by India’s top two jumpers, Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan, both proven continental performers. Their head-to-head at this Bronze-level meet will be one of the most closely watched contests, not just for national bragging rights, but for valuable World Ranking points that feed into qualification for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
A Platform of Global Importance
The World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze tier is more than just a mid-tier international meet. It offers Category C World Ranking points, increased global visibility, and an affordable opportunity for athletes especially those from developing nations to compete on home soil without extensive travel.
For India, hosting this event is a strategic leap forward. With over 150 athletes from 17 countries competing—including 63 international entries it’s a major milestone that aligns with the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) ambition to bid for higher-tier meets (Silver, Gold) in the near future.
With Kalinga Stadium’s Category 1 certification, top-tier facilities, and a legacy of hosting large-scale events like the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships, it’s a natural venue to kick-start India’s foray into the global track and field calendar.
Shaili vs Ancy: A Rivalry That Defines the Event
At the heart of this competition lies the compelling rivalry between 21-year-old Shaili Singh and 24-year-old Ancy Sojan. The two have traded wins all season in domestic and Asian meets.
- Shaili Singh, trained by Anju Bobby George, is a 2021 World U20 silver medalist and has a personal best of 6.76m. Her season best (SB) is 6.64m, which she recorded while winning gold at the Federation Cup in April.
- Ancy Sojan, the silver medalist from the 2022 Asian Games and 2025 Asian Championships, owns a personal best of 6.71m and has been consistent throughout the season, with a SB of 6.54m.
In their most recent domestic meet, Ancy edged out Shaili with a jump of 6.51m to 6.49m, showing how little separates them in form and execution. But context matters. At the Asian Championships in Gumi, both athletes struggled in rain-soaked conditions. Ancy took silver with 6.33m, and Shaili bronze with 6.30m results far from their season bests, but telling of their ability to medal even in adverse conditions.
With dry weather forecasted for Bhubaneswar, there’s every chance one or both could go beyond 6.65m, especially on Kalinga’s fast runway.
The British Challenge: Alice Hopkins Adds International Weight
While the focus will be on the Indian stars, Alice Hopkins of Great Britain presents a significant international threat. The 26-year-old, coached by Olympic champion Linford Christie, has a wind-assisted PB of 6.72m and a legal best of 6.59m, set earlier this year when she became British Indoor Champion.
Hopkins also competed at the 2025 European Indoor Championships, finishing 10th, and recently won bronze at the UK Championships. Her consistency and experience on the European circuit add credibility to her candidacy for a podium finish—or more.
Her clash with Shaili and Ancy gives the event true international depth, testing the Indian duo against a different competitive style and pressure level.
Emerging Indian Contenders: The Next Wave
Beyond the big three, India’s long jump scene is bursting with promising talent. Several young and mid-career athletes will use this meet to gain ranking points, experience, and a shot at upsetting the hierarchy.
- Bhavani Yadav (PB 6.44m) – Bronze medalist at the 2023 World University Games, and recent domestic meet winner with 6.31m.
- Pavana Nagaraj (PB 6.32m) – 2024 Asian U20 champion, still only 19, with growing senior experience.
- Sandra Babu (PB 6.29m) – Primarily a triple jumper (13.48m PB), but won silver recently in long jump.
- Kusuma Ravada (PB 6.26m) – 5th at the 2025 Federation Cup; recently jumped 6.22m in Bengaluru.
- Mubassina Mohammed (PB 6.17m) – Just 19, a double medalist at Asian Youth 2022 and 2023.
- Abinaya Sri (PB 6.13m) – 2023 National U20 champion, also active in triple jump.
This second tier of Indian jumpers demonstrates the depth in the discipline and the success of domestic pathways in nurturing horizontal jumpers. A strong performance from any of these names could put them in contention for India’s relay World Championship qualification spots or even Diamond League invites.
Sima Kumari Chaudhary, listed as representing Nepal with a claimed national record of 5.61m, also features in the entry list. Nepal’s 13-member delegation to the meet signals the nation’s intent to grow its athletics footprint through regional exposure.
What’s at Stake: Points, Prestige, and Pathways
Aside from medals, the athletes will be vying for World Ranking points critical to qualifying for major global events like the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Asian Games. With 63 international athletes in attendance, competition quality will be high, allowing for more impactful ranking performances.
For athletes like Ancy Sojan, who currently holds the final qualifying spot in the World Championships rankings, a high-placing jump at Kalinga is non-negotiable. For Shaili, it’s a chance to move up the Road to Tokyo rankings and reassert her global credentials.
The Broader Picture: India’s Growing Global Footprint
The AFI’s goal is clear position India as a reliable host of international athletics. With support from the Odisha Government and world-class venues like Kalinga Stadium, this Bronze meet is more than a one-off. It’s a proof of concept a stepping stone toward hosting Silver or Gold level meets, or even bidding for Asian Championships again.
A successful competition will draw interest from World Athletics, broadcasters, sponsors, and athletes. It will inspire young Indian athletes to aim higher, knowing they can compete against world-class names on home turf.
The Women’s Long Jump at the Bhubaneswar Continental Tour Bronze meet is not just a showcase of talent; it’s a moment of transformation. With a fierce domestic rivalry, international muscle, and a field of hungry emerging talents, the event represents everything India’s athletics future aims to be competitive, visible, and globally respected.
Whether it’s Shaili or Ancy standing on top of the podium or an upset by Alice Hopkins or a rising Indian star what’s certain is that long jump fans are in for a memorable day at Kalinga.
