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Bhubaneswar | Kerala long jumper Ancy Sojan smashed the 22-year-old national record previously held by the legendary Anju Bobby George, while high jumper Sarvesh Kushare also etched his name in the record books on a memorable day of Indian athletics during the National Inter-State Championships here on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Ancy leaped a stunning 6.88m in her fifth attempt to better the previous national record of 6.83m, which Anju set during the 2004 Athens Olympics. She also bettered the Asian Games qualifying mark of 6.48m set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). She also became the season leader among Asian athletes.

She was earlier second among Asian athletes this season with her 6.75m jump, which was her previous personal best.

Shaili Singh of Uttar Pradesh was second with 6.67m, while Mubassina Mohammed of Lakshadweep was third with 6.53m. All three podium finishers breached the qualifying mark. Only two, however, can represent the country at the Asian Games (September 19 to October 4).

Just before Ancy's feat, Maharashtra's Sarvesh Kushare set a national record in the men's high jump with a stunning effort of 2.31m.

The championships have so far witnessed five national records.

Kushare, who became the first Indian to qualify for the men's high jump final at the World Championships in Tokyo last year, cleared 2.31m, bettering the previous national record of 2.29m, which has been held by Tejaswin Shankar since 2018.

Kushare went for 2.35m but could not clear it in two attempts.

His performance on Saturday took Kushare to joint third in the global season rankings and to the top spot among Asian athletes. He also became the first Indian high jumper to clear 2.30m.

In the process, he bettered the Asian Games qualifying standard of 2.19m set by the Athletics Federation of India.

'Anju will he happy for the record'

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The diminutive but spunky Ancy thus brought down one of the most prestigious national records in an event which was synonymous with Anju as the lone World Championships medallist -- a bronze in the 2003 edition.

"She (Anju) is a legend. I want to just say, ma'am has truly been an inspiration. I recently read that she competed with one kidney...and about her story. That inspired me a lot," Ancy said after her feat.

"I saw her jump several times and I know how hard she trained for that. And I hope ma'am should be happy for this and she would support me, I hope."

Ancy, who won silver at the 2022 Asian Games with a jump of 6.63m, said she came into Saturday's event with the aim of bettering her personal best and was not thinking about the national record.

"I came here to do my PB, not the national record, and (I) just wanted to be a good world-class jumper. But, finally it (national record) happened.

"I felt like I was getting tired, but suddenly I remembered my last Asian Games and I got a boost. I went to my coach and told him that I was feeling some stomach issues. But my coach said 'you can do it'. Finally, I took a deep breath and did the jump, it happened."

Asked about the significance of her feat, she said, "This is proof that India also has good jumpers. If someone works hard, they can achieve it. Just believe in yourselves and be patient and be dedicated to your work."

Ancy, who suffered a dip in form last year due to hormonal issues, said she would work hard to win a gold medal for the country at the Asian Games.

"I am aiming for the Asian Games record so that I can directly qualify for the 2027 World Championships for which 6.86m is the qualification mark."

2.35m is coming, may be during CWG or Asian Games: Kushare

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Asked how everything clicked on Saturday for him to break the national record, Kushare said, "I had been getting close to 2.30m and had been thinking about clearing it, but it just wasn't happening.

"But AFI top officials, including (Lalit) Bhanot sir said I will do 2.30m, for sure. Today I went for 2.31m and I am very satisfied."

After breaking Tejaswin's national record, Kushare went for even higher but he could not clear 6.35m in two attempts.

"I will go for gold at the Asian Games and I am confident about it. The 2.35m mark will also fall, may be during the Commonwealth Games or the Asian Games," Kushare said.

"Before 2015-16, no Indian could go above 2.20m, Tejaswin did that and after that we also felt that we can do it. So, in the near future I also feel that I can do 2.35m."