Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan is setting her sights on Asian Games gold after a breakthrough 2026 season that saw her rewrite the national record and emerge as one of Asia's leading athletes in women's long jump.
The 25-year-old athlete recently competed at a World Athletics Silver-level meet in Bhubaneswar, where she won the event with a jump of 6.71 metres. Shaili Singh finished second with a best effort of 6.56 metres. Despite winning, Ancy admitted that she was not at her physical best due to a knee issue and fatigue after starting her season early.
Ancy now plans to focus on recovery and arrive fresh for the Asian Games. Her confidence, however, has grown significantly after breaking the long-standing Indian women's long jump national record with a jump of 6.88 metres in June 2026.
The record-breaking performance marked a major milestone in Indian athletics. Ancy has also produced three jumps beyond 6.70 metres this season, strengthening her position among the leading contenders for an Asian Games medal.
Her 6.88-metre effort currently stands among the best performances in Asia this year and is higher than the 6.73 metres that secured the women's long jump gold at the 2023 Asian Games. Ancy had won the silver medal at that edition with a jump of 6.63 metres.
As she prepares for the next Asian Games, Ancy is relying on a mental technique that she believes has helped transform her confidence: visualisation.
The Kerala athlete has incorporated visualisation into her regular training routine, spending time mentally rehearsing the performances and achievements she wants to accomplish. Her ultimate image is clear — standing on the Asian Games podium and listening to India's national anthem.
Ancy has spoken openly about previously struggling with self-doubt, including questioning her ability during competitions. She is now working to replace those thoughts by repeatedly visualising successful jumps and performances beyond the 7-metre mark.
Her 6.88-metre national record, according to her own experience, had first taken shape through similar mental preparation and visualisation. The next target is to cross the 7-metre barrier, a mark that would take Indian women's long jump into new territory.
Visualisation is widely used by athletes as a form of mental rehearsal. The process involves imagining an action or performance without physically carrying it out, helping athletes repeatedly practise movements, responses and competitive situations in their minds.
As Ancy Sojan continues her Asian Games preparations, her focus remains on recovery, confidence and improving her performance further. With a national record, multiple jumps beyond 6.70 metres and a growing belief in her ability, the Indian long jumper will aim to turn her vision of standing on the podium into reality.
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