Tajinderpal Singh Toor: 28-year-old sets new Asian Shot put record days after losing Grandmother

Still grieving after his grandmother died a few days ago, India's top shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor shattered his own Asian record with a huge throw of 21.77m on the concluding day of the National Inter-State Championships to qualify for the World Championships on Monday.

The 28-year-old Toor, representing Punjab, bettered his own Asian record of 21.49m, which he had set in 2021 at Patiala, with his third-round throw of 21.77m -- the ninth-longest distance in the world this season -- at the Kalinga Stadium.

The World Championships qualifying mark is 21.40m.

He also qualified for the Asian Games for which the qualifying mark is 19m.

Toor's stunning Asian record-setting performance came despite facing family tragedy as his grandmother had died on June 12.

"My training had gone as per plan and I was prepared to go past the 21m barrier. My next plan is to break the 22m barrier,” Toor said.

"But I was down mentally because my grandmother passed away last Monday and I am taking part despite that." Toor, the reigning Asian Games gold medallist, began with a bang as he cleared the 20m mark straightway with his opening throw of 21.09m. His second throw was a foul before he produced the Asian record-breaking effort. He then had two fouls before passing the final attempt.

Toor's Punjab statement Karanveer Singh finished second with a throw of 19.78m to also qualify for the Asian Games, while Jyothi Yarraji, who won gold medals in 100m and 100m hurdles, was named the best female athlete.

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