Tajinder Singh Toor, Indian shot putter, and current national record holder has earned his berth in the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games by setting a new national record at the Indian Grand Prix 4 in Patiala, Punjab on Monday.
Having held a previous national record of 20.92m since 2019, Toor improved on his personal best as he clocked an astounding throw of 21.49m, thus also making the cut for the Olympics which had its qualification mark at 21.10m.
Currently ranked 31st in the Road to Tokyo list of 32 shot putters, all of Toor’s throws had gone the distance above the Olympics benchmark, with his first one being the new national high. The third, fourth and fifth throws were counted at 21.28m, 21.12m and 21.13m respectively.
“I am very happy to qualify for my first Olympics. Moreover, it was Asian as well as national record,” Toor said in an interview with PTI after the event, “I was confident of crossing the qualification mark because I was doing 21.20 to 21.40m. So, it was not a surprise for me. I am looking forward to doing well in Tokyo.”
Having earned the Tokyo berth, Toor now aims for a new personal best and a new national record o 22m. “It was a bit hot today but the conditions were all right otherwise. I had several injuries last year and by the time I was fit, the COVID-19 restrictions came into place. This tournament is a big relief for me. I am now aiming to cross 22m,” he added.
A Petty Officer (PTI) of the Indian Navy, Toor received congratulation from the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces for his feat.
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All that being said, Toor’s new record-setting triumph at IGP-4 will undergo a dope test as National Anti Doping Agency officials were seen present at the venue of the event to test any national record setter as well as gold medal winner.
Hailing from Khosa Pando in Moga district, Punjab, Toor is a 2018 Asian Games gold medallist, and has also clinched gold at the 2019 Asian Championships as well as a bronze in the 2017 edition of the event.
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