Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan is entering the Asian Games with renewed confidence, a national record behind her and one clear ambition: to stand on the podium while hearing India’s national anthem.
The 25-year-old Kerala athlete has enjoyed a breakthrough 2026 season, highlighted by a 6.88-metre national-record jump that surpassed the long-standing mark set by legendary athlete Anju Bobby George. With several jumps beyond 6.70 metres this season, Ancy has established herself as one of India’s strongest contenders for an Asian Games gold medal.
Her latest competition came at a World Athletics Silver-level meet in Bhubaneswar on August 22. Ancy won the women’s long jump with an effort of 6.71 metres, finishing ahead of Shaili Singh, who recorded 6.56 metres.
However, Ancy admitted that the performance was not close to her best. A knee issue has affected her take-off, limiting her ability to generate the power she wants during her jumps.
“I am looking forward to the Asian Games. I am really tired because I started my season quite early. I want to take rest now and then arrive at the Asian Games fresh,” Ancy said.
Ancy Sojan’s Big Asian Games Dream
Ancy’s confidence has grown significantly since breaking the national record. Her 6.88-metre effort is also the leading women’s long-jump mark in Asia this year, according to the information provided.
She believes the record has changed her mindset and raised the standard of what she expects from herself.
Her ultimate target is to go beyond 7 metres at the Asian Games.
More importantly, Ancy wants to win gold and experience the moment of hearing India’s national anthem from the podium.
“My main dream is to win the Asian Games and to hear the national anthem when I am at the podium,” she said.
Visualisation Becomes Part Of Her Preparation
One of the biggest changes in Ancy’s preparation has been the use of visualisation.
The idea was partly inspired by Indian badminton coach Vimal Kumar, who encouraged Ayush Shetty to visualise beating world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi before their World Championships clash.
Ancy has now incorporated a similar approach into her own routine. She regularly imagines herself executing a perfect long jump and standing on the Asian Games podium.
She also uses positive reminders to fight the self-doubt that has sometimes affected her during competitions.
“You are stronger than you think. Believe in yourself. Do not underestimate yourself,” she tells herself.
Ancy says she has often questioned herself during competitions, particularly when her take-off has not gone according to plan. But she believes visualisation is helping her develop greater confidence.
She now visualises herself jumping beyond seven metres, hoping to turn that mental picture into reality at the Asian Games.
Why visualisation Can Help Athletes
Psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Chugh explained that visualisation is different from simply believing that something will happen.
According to him, mentally rehearsing an action can activate neurological pathways associated with actually performing that action. Repeated practice can help make certain thoughts and responses more automatic through neuroplasticity.
For an athlete such as Ancy, that means repeatedly imagining the ideal jump can become part of her mental preparation alongside physical training.
Her national-record performance has already strengthened her belief that visualisation can complement hard work.
A Strong Contender For Gold
Ancy’s recent form gives her reason for optimism. She has produced three jumps beyond 6.70 metres this year and also won silver at the 2023 Asian Games with a 6.63-metre effort.
The previous Asian Games gold-winning mark was 6.73 metres, meaning Ancy’s national record of 6.88 metres puts her comfortably beyond that benchmark.
But she knows the Asian Games will demand more than confidence. Her knee issue, fatigue from a long season and the pressure of a major international event remain challenges.
For now, Ancy’s focus is on recovering, arriving fresh and preparing for the biggest jump of her career.
The target is simple: 7 metres, Asian Games gold and India’s national anthem playing from the podium.
