The Indian Open Throws Competition 2024 witnessed a spectacular showcase of talent across various throwing events, underscoring the depth and prowess of Indian athletes.
From the seasoned veterans like Tajinderpal Singh Toor to emerging stars like Haqikat Grewal, each athlete demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, pushing the boundaries of their respective disciplines.
Punjab emerged as a dominant force, particularly in shot put and hammer throw, while athletes from other states also left their mark with impressive performances. The competition not only set new records but also painted a promising picture for the future of Indian throwing sports on the global stage.
With such talent and dedication on display, India is poised to make significant strides in international throwing competitions.
Shot Put: Toor Unchallenged
Tajinderpal Singh Toor, the reigning king of Indian shot put, cemented his position once again. The Punjab athlete unleashed a mighty throw of 19.82 meters, leaving his competitors in his wake.
Dhaneveer Singh and Prabhkirpal Singh, both fellow Punjabis, put on a commendable display, securing the silver and bronze medals with throws exceeding 18 meters. Their combined performance highlighted the strength of Punjab’s throwing contingent.
Discus Throw: Haryana Claims a Slice of the Pie
While Punjab dominated the shot put and hammer throw events, Haryana’s Nirbhay Singh ensured his state wasn’t left out of the throwing spotlight.
Singh launched a powerful discus throw of 54.89 meters, surpassing the 53-meter mark set by Oinam Alson Singh (Manipur) and Gagandeep Singh (Punjab) who bagged the silver and bronze medals respectively.
Hammer Throw: Punjab on Top Again
Damneet Singh continued Punjab’s throwing dominance, securing the gold medal in the hammer throw with a throw of 65.82 meters.
A tightly contested battle for the remaining podium positions saw Gurdev Singh (Punjab) and Mukul (Uttar Pradesh) throw over 61 meters, showcasing the high level of competition in this event.
Javelin Throw: Malik Takes Flight
Vikrant Malik, hailing from Odisha, soared to victory in the javelin throw. His impressive throw of 81.68 meters stood out amongst a competitive field. Shivpal Singh (Uttar Pradesh) and Parmod (Haryana) displayed remarkable consistency exceeding the 80-meter mark to secure the silver and bronze medals respectively.
These championships served as a testament to the depth of talent India possesses in throwing events. The dominance of Punjab, particularly in shot put and hammer throw, alongside strong performances from athletes across other states, paints a bright picture for the future of Indian throwing on the international stage.
With seasoned athletes like Toor and rising stars like Malik, India is well-positioned to make a significant impact in global throwing competitions.
Men’s Under-20
Women’s Senior
Shot Put: Abha Khatua (Maharashtra) displayed her prowess by claiming the gold medal with a throw of 17.56 meters. While this fell short of the National Record (18.06 meters), it highlights her potential. Rekhar (Haryana) and Shiksha (Haryana) secured the remaining podium positions.
Harshita Sehrawat of Delhi emerged as the star in the Hammer Throw, rewriting the National Record for her age group. Her mighty throw of 59.78 meters not only secured her the gold medal but also etched her name in the history books. Tanya Chaudhary (Uttar Pradesh) and Anmol Kaur (Punjab) followed closely behind, claiming silver and bronze with throws of 57.36 meters and 55.47 meters respectively.
The Javelin Throw competition proved to be a nail-biting affair. Jyoti from Haryana emerged victorious with a throw of 51.55 meters. Karishma S Sanil (Karnataka) and Km Saloni (Uttar Pradesh) displayed their talent as well, securing the second and third positions with throws of 51.02 meters and 50.21 meters respectively.
Women’s Under 20
In a nail-biting discus throw competition, Amanat Kamboj (Punjab) emerged victorious with an impressive throw of 48.20 meters. Anisha (Delhi) and Nisha (Chandigarh) displayed exceptional consistency, pushing each other for the remaining podium positions. Anisha secured the silver medal with a throw of 48.15 meters, just a hair’s breadth ahead of Nisha’s throw of 47.84 meters which earned her the bronze.
Haqikat Grewal (Punjab) showcased her dominance in the hammer throw event, launching a staggering 50.33 meters to claim the gold medal. Anushka Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) and Ripudaman Kaur (Punjab) weren’t far behind, putting up a valiant fight. Anushka secured the silver medal with a throw of 49.71 meters, while Ripudaman’s throw of 46.55 meters earned her the bronze.
Deepika (Haryana) emerged victorious in the Javelin Throw (Under-20) with a throw of 49.75 meters. Ramyashree Jain (Karnataka) and Aakriti Tyagi (Delhi) showcased their dedication with throws of 46.37 meters and 46.24 meters, securing silver and bronze medals respectively.
Another Record Falls in Hammer Throw:
The dominance of young throwers continued in the Hammer Throw (Under-20). Haqiqat Grewal of Punjab displayed her prowess by launching a distance of 50.33 meters, setting a new National Record. Anushka Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) and Ripudaman Kaur (Punjab) secured the remaining podium positions with throws of 49.71 meters and 46.55 meters respectively.
The competition showcased outstanding performances across all age categories, with several new records set, particularly in the women’s events.
Punjab demonstrated its dominance in various disciplines, while athletes from other states also showcased their skills, indicating a bright future for Indian throwing sports on the international stage.
Written by Ishant Garg
