Ancy Sojan Shines at National Open Athletics Championship with Gold Medal Win

Asian Games silver medallist Ancy Sojan triumphed in the women's long jump at the National Open Athletics Championship in Bengaluru, setting a personal best at 6.71 meters and was awarded the best female athlete title. India concluded their Asian Games 2023 campaign with a record 107 medals.

Asian Games silver medallist and Indian Navy athlete Ancy Sojan clinched the gold medal in the women's long jump event at the National Open Athletics Championship in Bengaluru. Ancy secured the title with a leap of 6.71 meters, marking her personal best.

At 23, Ancy was not only a gold medallist but also declared the best female athlete of the championship. Earlier this year, she secured a silver medal in the women's long jump event at the Hangzhou Asian Games with a then personal best of 6.63m. China's Shiqi Xiong topped that event with a personal best of 6.73m, while the bronze was secured by Nga Yan from Hong Kong, who jumped 6.50 meters.

In a historic achievement, India surpassed the 100-medal mark for the first time in their Asian Games history, collecting a record haul of 107 medals—28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze. This milestone outperformed their previous best tally of 70 medals at Jakarta 2018. The athletics team, highlighted by Neeraj Chopra's successful title defense in the javelin throw, contributed 29 medals.

The archery compound team clean-swept five gold medals and overall archery yielded nine medals. Meanwhile, India's badminton team clinched their first-ever Asian Games gold in men's doubles, courtesy of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. India also secured three medals in sailing. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)