Asian Games: Ancy Sojan Reflects on Narrow Silver After Two-Centimetre Miss

Ancy, who had led the competition for much of the event, eventually finished with silver at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium after struggling with tiredness and a slippery track during her final three attempts.

Speaking to SAI Media, Ancy said she had been aiming to go beyond 6.60m but could not produce the required distance when it mattered.

"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," she said.

Despite missing out on gold, the 25-year-old described the silver medal as recognition for the work she had put in throughout a demanding 2026 season.

"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," Ancy said.

The Thrissur-born athlete has enjoyed a strong year, beginning with a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor Championships before adding another Asian Games silver to her collection.

One of the biggest highlights of her season came at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, where she jumped 6.88m to break Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old Indian national record of 6.83m.

Anju, a world championship medallist, was present at the stadium when Ancy and fellow Indian long jumper Shaili Singh competed at Aichi-Nagoya. Ancy said the former champion offered her advice on improving her landing technique and provided encouragement.

"She came and gave me tips how to extend my landing. She encouraged me a lot and I really enjoyed that," Ancy said.

Ancy has been part of the Target Olympics Podium Scheme since December 2021. She first made her mark at the Asian Games by winning silver at Hangzhou in 2023, and her impressive form in 2026 had raised expectations of a possible gold-medal finish in Japan.

However, the rainy conditions presented an additional challenge during the competition.

"Mentally, I was prepared that the Chinese will give me tough competition. Then when I came here it was raining. I had to find a solution under the circumstances. Being an Indian Navy person, it's not in me to give up. I told myself that I will fight till the end. I was completely pressure free but probably my body was not supporting in the last three jumps," she said.

Ancy's silver medal therefore capped a highly productive season, even as she was left to reflect on a narrowly missed opportunity for gold.