Asian Games 2026: My aim now only is to throw 22m or above at Olympics, says Toor

Tajinderpal Singh Toor came into the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as a two-time defending shot put champion, favourite for a third and one of India’s brightest hopes for an athletics gold.

The towering athlete, however, could not add a third to his belt, finishing second behind Iran’s Mohammadreza Tayebise, who set a new Games record of 20.81 m and admitted it was disappointing.

“Yes, I am a little disappointed. I was very confident of doing well today. The body was also feeling really good, and I was hopeful of doing 21m even till the last throw.

“But the way the last 2-3 months have gone for me, with (shoulder) cuff injury which led to a third-place finish at the inter-State championships, I am glad to still come here and finish on the podium,” Toor admitted here.

“The conditions were also not easy; staying warmed-up itself was very difficult. Most of the best throws from everyone came in the first or second attempt, but I still managed to do it in my fifth,” he added.

“I was also a little cautious of slipping inside the throwing circle because it was so wet in constant rain, and I could not come into my natural rhythm. But I could have done better,” a downcast Toor added.

Asked about the future plans, Toor declared his lofty dreams. “I have not been able to do well in the Olympics for my country. My aim now only is to throw 22m or above at the Olympics and set a new personal, national and Asian record.

“This is a fight with myself now. I will only be satisfied when I throw beyond 22m, and that target, that dream, is not allowing me to settle. What I have done in practice, till I don’t do that in competition also, I won’t rest easy.”