Shot putter Toor betters own national record

CHANDIGARH: After a dismal outing in the World Championships in Doha, Asian Games champion Tajinder Pal Singh Toor on Saturday bettered his own national record with a throw of 20.92m in the men's shot put event at the National Open Championships in Ranchi. The previous record of 20.75m was also held by the Punjab shot putter in the Asian Games in Jakarta.

"I am a bit relaxed after what happened in Doha. I am relaxed. My aim is to break the 21m barrier. I could have achieved it today only, but unfortunately my second throw of 21.29m was a foul," Toor told TOI from Ranchi.

The 24-year-old Toor finished eighth in qualification round of the World Championship and was 18th overall out of 34 competitors with a best throw of 20.43m from his three attempts.

"Doha was a massive setback from me because I had worked really hard. I was training in Spala, Poland for a month before the World Championship. I was very disappointed with my performance in Doha. But it is past and now I have to look forward," said Toor.

The shot putter, who hails from Moga, Punjab will fly to Wuhan, China on Tuesday to participate in the Millitary World Games, which is scheduled from October 18 to 27.

After setting up a new national record, Toor has only one thing in mind -- to breach the 21m barrier.

"I have just one aim in my mind. I want to get this monkey off my back. I am aiming to get it in the China," he said.

When asked on his plans of heading back abroad again, he replied: "For now there are no such plans. I will take a decision after consulting my coach saab (Mohinder Singh Dhillon)."