A silver in Japan sparks wild celebrations in Keralam’s Nattika

Her every leap at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, was followed by a collective gasp at long-jumper Ancy Sojan’s home at Nattika here. Eyes fixed on the screen, hands folded in prayer, the family waited with bated breath.

The 6.49-metre opening jump had already put the family on edge. When Ancy stretched it to 6.53 metres in her fifth attempt, excitement surged through the house. Her father Sojan, mother Jancy, siblings, and neighbours followed every jump with anticipation.

The battle remained fierce till the end. A strong final jump by Chinese athlete Huang Yingying dimmed Ancy’s hopes of gold. The family once again folded their hands, praying for a miracle in Ancy’s final jump. The gold-winning leap never came. The celebrations did. Firecrackers went off and sweets were distributed as Nattika celebrated another major international achievement by its daughter. Pride was writ large on the faces all around.