Toor, Tejaswin to lead Indian challenge at Asian indoor athletics championships

Despite a below-par season over the past two years, two-time Asian indoor champion shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will headline the 17-member Indian contingent for the 12th Asian Indoor athletics championships from February 6 to 8. The team will leave for Tianjin, China on February 3, the AFI announced here on Friday.

Toor, the defending champion, won in Tehran in 2024 with a throw of 19.72m. The 31-year old has struggled to cross the 20m mark in the past two seasons, hampered by recurring injuries. His closest competitor will be young compatriot Samardeep Singh Gill, who has been in good form so far.

Also in the squad is national decathlon record holder and Asian Games silver medallist Tejaswin Shankar, promising long jumper Shahnawaz Khan and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel.

Among women, Nithya Gandhe and Abhinaya Rajarajan will compete in the 60m sprint while Moumita Mondal and Ancy Sojan have been named for the long jump.

The squad: Men: Manikanta Hoblidhar (60m), Tejas Shirse (60m hurdles), J. Adarsh Ram (high jump), C.V. Anurag, 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, Pragyan Prasanti Sahu (60m hurdles), Pooja (high jump), Ancy Sojan, Moumita Mondal (long jump), Yogita (shot put), KA Anamika (Pentathlon).