‘Just like Neeraj Chopra’: Two-time champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor targets 22m barrier ahead of Asian Games defence; calls out critics

Tajinderpal Singh Toor has set his sights on a landmark 22-metre throw as he prepares to defend his Asian Games title later this month. The national record holder, inspired by javelin champion Neeraj Chopra’s pioneering 90m throw, is really inspired by the javelin superstar.

‘Just like Neeraj Chopra’: Two-time champion targets 22m barrier ahead of Asian Games defence; calls out critics

Toor couldn't perform to his calibre in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games due to an injury; however, he is now motivated ahead of the tournament. The Indian shot put star, as he revealed his desire to create a national record, told, as quoted by My Khel:

“Just like Neeraj Chopra set an example by becoming the first Indian to throw beyond 90m, I want to set an example by crossing the 22m mark.”

Toor has shown encouraging form in 2026. He opened the season with silver at the Asian Indoor Championships, recording 20.05m. He then produced his first throw over 21 metres since 2023, landing 21.03m at the Indian Athletics Series-3 in New Delhi.

A series of solid domestic performances followed before he finished fifth at the Commonwealth Games with a best of 20.27m. However, the Indian athlete also revealed that the injuries have prevented him from performing to the best level. Toor also responded to the people who accuse him of failing to perform outside India. He told PTI in an interaction facilitated by SAI:

“Injuries have always been there with me.”

Toor added:

“A lot of people say he doesn't perform outside (India). But when the person is not fit, how will he perform? From the very first day, injuries have been there with me.”

Toor, as per the aforementioned source, revealed that just 12 days ahead of the Commonwealth Games, had sustained a Grade 1 calf muscle tear. The Indian athlete added that he was forced to stop all the activities that required the calf. Despite this, he managed to record 20m in the windy conditions.

The two-time Asian Games gold medallist currently holds both the Indian national record (21.77m) and the Asian Games record (20.75m, set in 2018). He is now focused on retaining his continental crown at the Aichi-Nagoya Games and improving his own Games mark. At 31, Toor remains India’s leading shot putter and will look to peak at the right time as the Asian Games approach.

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