Bengaluru
Ancy Sojan, an Asian Games silver medallist and Indian Navy athlete, clinched the gold medal in the women’s long jump at the National Open Athletics Championship in Bengaluru. Sojan achieved a jump of 6.71 meters, setting a new personal best and winning the top honor. At 23 years old, she was also named the best female athlete of the championship.
In 2023, Sojan won a silver medal in the women’s long jump at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where she recorded a personal best of 6.63 meters. The gold medalist at those games was China’s Shiqi Xiong, who set her personal best with a 6.73-meter jump. Hong Kong’s Nga Yan secured the bronze with a 6.50-meter jump, also a personal best.
The 2023 Asian Games were historic for India, as the country surpassed the 100-medal mark for the first time. India finished with a record 107 medals: 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze. This was a significant increase from the 70 medals won in Jakarta in 2018, which included 16 golds.
Athletics was a highlight for India, with six gold medals, 14 silver, and nine bronze, totaling 29 medals. The archery compound team dominated their event, winning all five gold medals available and contributing to nine medals in total. India also celebrated its first Asian Games gold in badminton, with the men’s doubles team of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy leading the way. Additionally, India secured three medals in sailing.
