India’s star shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will use the upcoming Indian Open Throws Competition in Patiala as an opportunity to assess his form at the beginning of the outdoor athletics season. The two-day meet will be held at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS) campus and will feature several emerging and experienced Indian throwers.
The two-time Asian Games gold medallist said the event will help him evaluate his performance early in the year. He began his 2026 season at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in China, where he secured the silver medal with a throw of 20.05 metres, giving him confidence ahead of the outdoor competitions.
Toor, who holds the Indian national record in shot put, is aiming to gradually reach peak form later this year as he prepares for major international competitions including the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The competition in Patiala will also feature several upcoming athletes. Among them is Sanjana Reddy, who will be looking to gain valuable competitive exposure and measure her performance against strong domestic rivals. The event provides an important platform for young throwers to test their abilities at the start of the season.
According to national athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair, the Patiala meet will not serve as a selection trial for the major international events. Instead, athletes will have to achieve qualification standards in upcoming competitions, including meets in Ranchi and the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.
With more than 30 athletes competing in the men’s shot put and several participants in other throwing events, the Indian Open Throws meet promises to be a crucial early-season competition for Indian athletics as athletes prepare for a busy international calendar in 2026.
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