Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): Anju Bobby George, a former Indian athlete, Olympian, and Vice President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), is thrilled with the performances of Indian athletes this season. She noted that the number of national records broken signifies the steady advancement of Indian athletics ahead of significant international competitions.
In an interview with ANI, Anju mentioned that numerous athletes have showcased remarkable performances this year, with approximately 26 national records being rewritten across various events.
The former long jumper expressed that these performances have heightened expectations for India’s participation in the forthcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, asserting her confidence that the nation’s athletes can achieve an enhanced medal tally.
Anju also praised the breaking of her long-standing national long jump record, calling Ancy Sojan’s leap of 6.88 metres a world-class achievement and a promising indicator for the future of Indian athletics.
‘… This year especially, in multiple events, we created national records. Almost 26 national records were broken, including my 22-year-old record… I hope that at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, we will be getting more medals… I am so happy that after 22 years, Ancy Sojan could break my record, and she did a 6.88 meters, that’s a world-class jump…’ Anju Bobby George told ANI.
She also honored Keralam long jumper Ancy Sojan after she surpassed Anju Bobby George’s 22-year-old national record at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.
In addition, javelin thrower Rohit Yadav ranked second in the current global top list in men’s javelin throw, achieving an impressive throw of 87.05m on the final day of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The promising international javelin thrower, 25, launched the spear to a distance of 87.05m in his final attempt to secure the gold medal. Following this performance, he has emerged as the leading Indian javelin thrower this season and second in the global rankings, trailing behind Sri Lankan Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (92.62m), as stated in a press release.
Two-time Olympic and world medallist Neeraj Chopra currently holds the fourth position in the global rankings with a throw of 85.69m. Rohit Yadav’s previous best of 83.04m was recorded in 2023, and his mark of 87.05m also surpassed the meet record of 84.35m set by Manu DP in 2022.
