Who Will Lead the Indian Team at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor leads a strong Indian athletics team.
- The Asian Indoor Championships are set for February 6-8 in Tianjin, China.
- The team features both experienced athletes and promising newcomers.
- India aims to build on its previous success at the championships.
- Support for these athletes is crucial in their pursuit of excellence.
New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) Tajinderpal Singh Toor, a two-time champion in men's shot put at the Asian Indoor Championships, is set to lead a 17-member Indian squad for the upcoming 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, happening from February 6 to 8 in Tianjin, China.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) unveiled the team on Thursday, which features rising shot put talent Samardeep Singh Gill. The team is scheduled to depart for China on February 3.
Toor's remarkable accomplishment at the last Asian Indoor event in Tehran, where he secured the gold medal with a throw of 19.72m, showcases his prowess. The 31-year-old athlete from Punjab holds the national outdoor record of 21.77m, achieved in 2023 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Additionally, Toor has previously clinched the shot put title at the 10th Asian Indoor Championships held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
Other notable athletes include promising long jumper Shahnawaz Khan and seasoned triple jumper Praveen Chithravel, both of whom will kick off their 2026 seasons at the championships.
Key members of the men's team include Tejaswin Shankar (heptathlon) and Manikanta Hoblidhar (60m), among others.
On the women’s side, top sprinters Nithya Gandhe and Abhinaya Rajarajan will compete in the 60m race, while Moumita Mondal will take part in both the 60m hurdles and women’s long jump.
In the previous edition held in Iran, a total of 13 Indian athletes participated, with India returning home with four medals: three gold and one silver. Top performances were delivered by Toor in shot put, Jyothi Yarraji in hurdles, and Harmilan Bains, while Ankita earned silver in the women's 3000m.
Here’s the list of the Indian national athletics team: Men: Manikanta Hoblidhar (60m), Tejas Shirse (60m hurdles), J Adrash Ram (high jump), CV Anurag and Shahnawaz Khan (long jump), Praveen Chithravel (triple jump), Samardeep Singh Gill, Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put), Tejaswin Shankar (heptathlon). Women: Nithya Gandhe, Abhinaya Rajarajan (60m), Moumita Mondal and Pragyan Prasanti Sahu (60m hurdles), Pooja (high jump), Ancy Sojan and Moumita Mondal (long jump), Yogita (shot put) and KA Anamika (Pentathlon).