Inspired by Milkha, Driven by Sacrifice: Ancy Sojan Rewrites Indian Athletics History

A scene from the biopic of legendary sprinter Milkha Singh , unwavering determination and countless personal sacrifices helped Ancy Sojan script one of the greatest moments in Indian athletics as she shattered a 22 year old national record in the women's long jump.

The 25 year old athlete from Kerala produced a remarkable jump of 6.88 metres at the National Inter State Championships , surpassing the previous national record of 6.83m set by Indian athletics icon Anju Bobby George in 2004. The effort also saw Ancy comfortably cross the Asian Games qualification mark of 6.48m and become the season's leading long jumper in Asia .

For Ancy, however, the record was never the primary target. Her only goal was to improve her personal best and move a step closer to becoming a world class athlete.

The long jumper credited her improved mental strength for the breakthrough. She revealed that during the competition, she imagined herself competing in the Asian Games , visualising rivals trying to overtake her. That mindset pushed her to deliver the best jump of her career.

One source of motivation stood out above all others. Ancy recalled a memorable scene from 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' , where Milkha Singh's coach teaches him that wearing the Indian team blazer is an honour that must be earned through hard work. The message stayed with her and became a constant reminder of the commitment required to represent the country.

That commitment extended beyond the track. Ancy said she sacrificed many of the things she loved, including her favourite biryani , while also staying away from social media and following a strict diet. After battling hormonal issues and weight gain last year, she reduced her weight from 60kg to 55kg and cut her body fat percentage from 26 percent to 13 percent through disciplined training.

Despite breaking one of Indian athletics' most prestigious records, Ancy remained humble, calling Anju Bobby George a legend who inspired generations of athletes. Her next dream is even bigger, winning Asian Games gold , hearing the Indian national anthem on the podium and securing qualification for the 2027 World Championships .

"Believe in yourself, stay patient and work hard," Ancy said, hoping her journey inspires young Indian athletes to dream big.