Ancy Sojan wins long-jump silver at Aichi-Nagoya, asks for Thalapathy Vijay’s call

Ancy Sojan, 25, took silver in the women’s long jump at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on September 29, 2026, finishing two centimetres behind China’s Huang Yingying, who produced a 6.55m final jump. After the narrow defeat, Ancy said she would welcome a telephone call from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay.

Ancy described her admiration for Vijay after the final, saying: “I wish I can get a call from him. I like his motivation and all, that's all I wanna say. I'd be very happy if I can get a call,” Ancy said. The 25-year-old, described in broadcast coverage as a national record-holding long jumper, is a long-time fan of the actor-turned-politician and had recreated Vijay’s victory pose after winning the women’s long jump at the Indian Athletics Championships final in New Delhi.

In the competition, Ancy produced 6.53m on her second attempt and led for much of the final. She was ahead on countback during the event and recorded 6.49m on her final attempt but was unable to regain the lead.

China’s Huang Yingying matched a 6.49m mark during the contest before improving with a 6.55m effort on her final jump to snatch gold from the Indian, leaving a two-centimetre margin between the two athletes. Huang’s 6.55m secured the gold while Ancy finished with silver.

Shaili Singh had been sitting third prior to the closing jump from China’s Tan Mengyi, whose 6.46m with the final attempt moved her onto the podium. Tan’s final leap left Shaili fourth with a best of 6.42m, and Ancy was the only Indian remaining in medal contention after Shaili slipped out of the top three.

The result extended Ancy’s Asian Games record: after winning silver in Hangzhou she became only the second Indian woman, after Anju Bobby George, to win multiple Asian Games medals in the long jump. Broadcasters noted the medal continued Ancy’s run of major championship success at the continental level.

The silver means Ancy now has back-to-back Asian Games medals. The gold that seemed within reach for much of Tuesday’s final will leave her with unfinished business.