Inter-state athletics: Toor sets new shot put NR; Sojan pips Shaili to women’s long jump gold

Tajinderpal Singh Toor was adjudged the best male athlete while Jyothi Yarraji was crowned best female athlete at the Inter State Senior Athletics Championship.

Jun 20, 2023 - 10:30
Inter-state athletics: Toor sets new shot put NR; Sojan pips Shaili to women’s long jump gold

India’s 2018 Jakarta Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor hogged the limelight on the final day of the 62nd National Inter State Senior Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar on Monday in the men’s shot put final.

Toor was declared best male athlete and was successful in qualifying for the Budapest World Athletics Championship. Jyothi Yarraji was crowned female athlete of the meet.

The Punjab international shot putter recorded 21.77m throw in his third attempt to improve his Asian Games mark of 20.75m he set on his way to winning gold at 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

“My training had gone as per planned and I was prepared to go past the 21m barrier,” an elated Toor said after etching his name in record books on Monday. “My next plan is to break the 22m barrier.”

Tajinderpal Singh Toor began his record- breaking campaign with an opening throw of 21.09m. His second attempt was no mark, while he hurled the iron ball to 21.77m in his third throw. The Asian Games qualification mark in men’s shot put was 19m, while the Budapest World Athletics Championship qualification mark was 21.40m.