New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): India’s long jumper Ancy Sojan said fatigue and a touch of bad luck kept her just two centimetres away from winning her first Asian Games gold medal, as she settled for silver in Aichi-Nagoya.

Sojan, who had led the competition for much of the contest, was overtaken by China’s Yingying Huang, who produced a winning jump of 6.55 metres. China’s Mengyi Tan claimed bronze with a 6.46-metre effort.

Sojan made an impressive start at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium despite the rain. However, fatigue and the slippery track became increasingly difficult to manage during her final three attempts, ultimately proving decisive.

Speaking to the Sports Authority of India Media, Sojan said she had been leading and hoped she could produce a jump beyond 6.55 metres.

“I was in the lead and praying to God that I would not be disappointed. I felt that 6.55 metres was within reach and I was trying to go beyond 6.60 metres, but it did not happen. Unfortunately, it was not my day, and I had no option but to accept my luck,” she said.

Sojan described the silver medal as a reward for the hard work she had put in throughout the season.

“The Asian Games silver is a reward for the hard work I have put in this season. It was a very long season and I learnt a lot. I worked hard and gave my 100 per cent in Aichi-Nagoya, but it was not my day,” she said.

The 25-year-old athlete has enjoyed a notable 2026 campaign. She began the year with a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor Championships and has now secured a silver medal at the Asian Games for the second consecutive edition.

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

George, a world championship medallist, was present trackside when Sojan and Shaili Singh competed in Aichi-Nagoya. Sojan said George offered her technical advice, particularly on improving her landing.

“She came and told me how I could improve my landing. She encouraged me a lot, and I really appreciated it,” Sojan said.

Sojan has been part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme since December 2021. She first attracted significant attention after winning silver in the women’s long jump at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Given her recent form, Sojan had entered the Aichi-Nagoya competition with expectations of improving the colour of her medal. However, she said she was mentally prepared for a strong challenge from the Chinese competitors.

“I was mentally prepared that the Chinese athletes would give me a tough challenge. Then, when I came here, it was raining. I had to find a solution despite the conditions. As a member of the Indian Navy, I do not have it in me to give up. I told myself that I would fight until the end,” she said.

Sojan added that she had remained free of pressure during the competition, but her body did not respond as she would have wanted during the final three attempts.

“I was completely pressure-free, but perhaps my body was not supporting me during the final three attempts,” she said.

The silver marks Sojan’s second consecutive Asian Games medal in the women’s long jump, following her silver at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar