Anju Bobby George protégé breaks her record, calls it the start of her journey
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Young long jumper Shaili Singh made history at the Federation Cup by surpassing a record that had stood for 23 years, achieving a leap of 6.64 meters to break the previous mark set by her coach and legendary athlete Anju Bobby George.
Competing at Maharaja's College Ground in Ernakulam, the 21-year-old outdid Anju’s 2002 record of 6.59 meters.
Speaking after her historic jump, Shaili expressed immense pride in her achievement, acknowledging the significance of following in the footsteps of her mentor. "Breaking Anju ma'am's long-standing record is a moment of immense pride for me," Shaili said. "She has always been a source of inspiration. To now be part of the same legacy is an incredible honour. This is just the beginning of my journey, and I look forward to achieving many more milestones for my country."
Reacting to Shaili’s achievement, Anju Bobby George praised her protégé, emphasising that this milestone highlights the promising future of Indian women in sports. "Records are meant to be broken," Anju said. "I'm thrilled to see Shaili reach this milestone. From the moment we first spotted her talent, it was clear she was destined for great things. Watching her progress has been like witnessing the future of Indian athletics unfold. I’m incredibly proud to pass the baton to someone so dedicated and talented."
Adding to her triumph, Shaili Singh has been selected to represent India in the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships, set to take place from May 27 to 31 in Gumi, South Korea.