From cricket to the Navy, the rise of an Asian shot put legend
In short: When his father suggested he trade cricket for shot put, Tajinderpal Singh Toor had no idea he would become a record-breaking force. From serving as a Chief Petty Officer in the Indian Navy to defending Asian Games titles, his journey is a masterclass in athletic resilience.
Born in the village of Khosa P</strong>ando in Punjab, Tajinderpal Singh Toor's path to international athletics was anything but linear. Originally a cricket player, he pivoted to shot put at his father's insistence. Following his physical education studies in Bathinda, he entered the Indian Navy in 2015, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer prior to becoming a Deputy Superintendent of Police in 2024. His studies for a Bachelor of Physical Education were finished at Bathinda's Malwa College of Physical Education. His roots lie in a family of farmers from the Moga district.
Toor's competitive career is defined by dominance within Asia and significant milestones on the global stage. He is a two-time Asian Games champion, notably securing gold in Jakarta in 2018 with a record-breaking 20.75 m throw, and successfully defending his title in Hangzhou in 2023. His prowess extends to the Asian Championships and Asian Indoor Championships, where he has secured multiple gold medals, including a landmark performance in 2023 where he set a new national and Asian record with a 21.77 m throw. His championship record includes victories at the Asian Indoor Championships in Astana, Tehran, and Tianjin. He also secured gold at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu.
However, the journey has been marked by physical adversity. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Toor competed with a heavily bandaged shoulder due to an injury that required surgery following the Games. He also faced setbacks in 2022, including a groin injury that forced his withdrawal from the World Championships in Eugene and the Commonwealth Games. Despite these hurdles, he continues to compete at the highest level, recently earning silver at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya. He also struggled at the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, where he recorded no valid marks. His 2024 Olympic appearance in Paris saw him finish 29th.
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