India’s seasoned shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor delivered a powerful performance at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, clinching the silver medal in the men’s shot put with a best effort of 20.05m.
In a competition that went down to the very last round, Toor was edged out for gold by China’s Chen Chengyu, who produced a decisive final throw of 20.07m just two centimetres farther to snatch the top spot.
It was a dramatic conclusion to what had been a tightly contested final from the outset. Toor, a multiple-time Asian champion and national record holder, looked in control for large parts of the competition. His series reflected consistency and composure under pressure, qualities that have defined his career at the continental level.
Toor opened with 19.49m, a steady start that kept him in medal contention early. After a foul in his second attempt, he responded strongly with 19.85m in the third round. That effort briefly placed him in a commanding position before he bettered it with his best throw of the evening 20.05m in the fourth round. The mark not only pushed him into the lead but also reinforced his reputation as one of Asia’s most dependable performers in championship settings.
With two rounds remaining, the Indian appeared poised to reclaim continental indoor gold. However, Chen Chengyu had other ideas. The Chinese thrower, who had been steadily building momentum through the series, saved his best for last. Having registered 19.72m as his top mark until the final round, Chen unleashed a clutch 20.07m throw in his sixth and final attempt, overturning Toor’s lead by the narrowest of margins.
The two-centimetre difference underscored how evenly matched the contest was. Chen’s final throw 20.07m stood as the winning mark, while Toor’s 20.05m secured silver. China’s Xing Jialiang completed the podium with 19.99m, finishing just six centimetres behind the Indian.
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Despite missing out on gold, Toor’s performance reaffirmed his standing as one of India’s most accomplished field athletes. The 20.05m effort marked one of his strongest indoor outings in recent seasons and demonstrated that he remains a serious contender at the highest level in Asia.
For Toor, who has previously dominated Asian competitions and set national records beyond the 21-metre mark outdoors, this silver represents both achievement and motivation. The narrow defeat will likely fuel his preparations for the upcoming outdoor season, with major competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games on the horizon in 2026.
Another Indian in the final, Gill Samardeep Singh, finished fifth with a best throw of 18.97m. Samardeep showed promise across his series but was unable to breach the 19-metre barrier that proved crucial in the fight for medals. His performance, however, adds depth to India’s shot put contingent and signals healthy competition within the national setup.
The men’s shot put final reflected the broader competitive intensity of the 2026 Asian Indoor Championships. With multiple athletes crossing 19 metres and three nearing or exceeding 20 metres, the standard was notably high. For India, Toor’s silver added another valuable medal to the country’s tally and highlighted the continued strength of its throwing programme. From a technical standpoint, Toor’s throws displayed improved rhythm and balance across the circle.
His release angles and timing appeared sharper compared to earlier competitions this season, suggesting that he is building towards peak form. While indoor competitions can sometimes limit distances compared to outdoor meets due to surface and space constraints, crossing the 20-metre mark indoors remains a significant benchmark.
The psychological dimension of the contest was equally compelling. Holding the lead going into the final round can be both an advantage and a burden. Toor had done enough to apply pressure on his rivals, but Chen responded with composure, producing his best effort when it mattered most. Such moments define championship sport.
For Indian athletics, Toor’s silver continues a strong showing at the championships and reinforces the country’s credentials in field events. Alongside emerging talents in jumps and multi-events, India’s throwers remain competitive at the continental level.
While gold slipped away by two centimetres, Tajinderpal Singh Toor’s 20.05m effort stands as a testament to his enduring quality and fighting spirit. In elite sport, margins are often microscopic. On this occasion, silver was the reward — but the performance suggests there is more to come.
As the indoor season transitions towards outdoor competitions, Toor will look to convert this near-miss into renewed momentum. If the Asian Indoors are any indication, India’s premier shot putter is far from done making his mark on the continental stage.
