'Fate Denied Me Asian Games Gold,’ Ancy Sojan Accepts Long Jump Silver As A ‘reward For Hard Work In 2026’

Fate denied me Asian Games gold,’ Ancy Sojan accepts long jump silver as a ‘reward for hard work in 2026’ (Nagoya: Asian Games 2026 - Womens Long Jump)

Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic: Ancy Sojan said ‘tiredness’ and ‘fate’ conspired to deny her a maiden Asian Games gold medal by just two centimetres. Having led the field with consummate ease, India’s top high jumper was relegated to second position at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on a rainy evening on Sunday.

Ancy battled fatigue and a slippery track in her last three jumps that would finally prove decisive. In an exclusive interaction with SAI Media, Ancy said, "I was leading and was praying to God not to let me down. I thought 6:55 is nothing and I was trying for 6:60-plus but that didn’t happen. Unfortunately, it was not my day and I had no choice but to accept my fate."

"The Asian Games silver is a reward for the hard work I put in this season. It was a very long season and I have learnt a lot. I fought hard and gave my 100% at Aichi-Nagoya but it was not my day," said Ancy.

For Ancy, 2026 has been a fabulous year. Starting with a bronze at the Asian indoor championships, the 25-year-old from Thrissur, Kerala, ended with her second Asian Games silver.

A major milestone came when Ancy produced a remarkable 6.88m at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, breaking Anju Bobby George’s 22-year-old Indian national record of 6.83m.

World championship medallist Anju was trackside when Ancy and Shaili Singh competed at Aichi Nagoya. "She came and gave me tips how to extend my landing. She encouraged me a lot and I really enjoyed that," said Ancy.

Ancy has been a Target Olympics Podium Scheme athlete since December 2021. She made the headlines with a long jump silver medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Given her current form, Ancy was tipped to change the colour of her medal this time in Japan.

World championship medallist Anju was trackside when Ancy and Shaili Singh competed at Aichi Nagoya. "She came and gave me tips how to extend my landing. She encouraged me a lot and I really enjoyed that," said Ancy.

Article Source: IANS