Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 26: In a landmark moment for Indian athletics, 21-year-old Shaili Singh shattered a 23-year-old long jump record at the Federation Cup, signaling the start of a promising new chapter in her career.

Competing at the National Federation Cup Athletics Championships at Maharaja's College Ground in Ernakulam, Shaili soared to a remarkable 6.64m jump, eclipsing the 6.59m mark set by her mentor and legendary athlete Anju Bobby George in 2002.

Speaking after her record-breaking feat, Shaili expressed deep gratitude and pride: "Breaking Anju ma'am's long-standing Federation Cup record is a moment of immense pride for me. Her journey has always been my inspiration. To walk a similar path feels surreal. This record stood for 23 years because of her extraordinary talent, and I'm honored to contribute to this legacy. This is just the beginning—many more milestones await, and I’m determined to make my country proud."

Anju Bobby George, now Shaili’s coach and mentor, warmly applauded her protégé’s achievement. "Records are meant to be broken, and seeing Shaili accomplish this is truly special. From the moment we first spotted her talent, I knew she had the potential to surpass even my best performances," Anju reflected. "Her success today is a testament to the bright future of Indian women in sports. Watching her growth feels like witnessing the next exciting chapter in Indian athletics."

Adding to her growing list of accolades, Shaili Singh has been selected in India's 56-member squad for the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships, set to take place from May 27 to 31 in Gumi, South Korea.

With this powerful start, Shaili Singh is poised to not only follow in the footsteps of legends but to carve out her own place in history.