Toor takes Asian Games shot put silver as Tayebise breaks record

Tajinderpal Singh Toor’s attempt to win a third successive Asian Games shot put title ended with a silver medal on Saturday after Iran’s Mohammadreza Tayebise set a Games record. Tayebise won the men’s final with a throw of 20.81 metres. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Tolu took bronze with 20.48m, while Toor’s best effort was 20.64m.

Tayebise’s winning distance surpassed Toor’s Asian Games record of 20.75m, set when the Indian athlete won gold at the 2018 Jakarta Games. Toor also defended his title at the Hangzhou Games in 2023 with a throw of 20.36m. Toor faced an early challenge after Tayebise moved into first place with his record throw.

Toor’s 20.26m effort initially left him third, behind Tolu, before he responded with his fifth attempt. The 20.64m throw was Toor’s best mark of the competition and a season-best performance. It lifted him past Tolu and into the silver-medal position, but he could not produce the distance required to overtake Tayebise.

The gap between the two was 17 centimetres. The result extended Toor’s run of Asian Games medals to three editions. He now has two gold medals and one silver, although he did not finish first at the Games for the first time since 2018.

Toor began his athletic career in Punjab’s Moga district after moving from cricket to shot put at his father’s encouragement. He later won Asian Championships titles in 2019 and 2023 and the Asian Indoor Championships in 2024. His national record of 21.77m was set in 2023.

A two-time Olympian, Toor represented India at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. He has been supported through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme since November 2018, including assistance for international competitions and overseas training camps.