Shelly will be eyeing to break Anju Bobby George’s National Record

Bhubaneswar. Shelly Singh is only 19 and has spent just two years in the senior circuit but India’s number one female long jumper has her sights set on breaking her mentor Anju Bobby George’s national record this year. Shelly’s effort of 6.76m in April is the second best performance by an Indian woman athlete. The national record is Anju’s effort of 6.83m which has stood for the last 19 years. Anju also believes that her disciple can break her national record.

“Anju said I can break her record as I was very close (seven centimeters behind) to her,” Shaili said after the women’s long jump qualifying round of the National Inter-State Athletics Championships. They say I am close to it and so I feel I can do it.” Shaili made it to the final after finishing third with an effort of 6.27m.

Ansi Sojan topped the table with an effort of 6.49m and also cleared the Asian Games qualifying standard of 6.45m. Sojan said, “I had a bad month this year recovering from injury. I am getting fit I think I can try for 6.70 to 6.80.