Toor to lead 17-member Indian contingent at 12th Asian Indoor Athletics C’ships

India’s two-time Asian Indoor shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor will spearhead the country’s 17-member contingent at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, to be held in Tianjin, China, from February 6 to 8.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) named the squad on Thursday, confirming that the team will leave for China on February 3. Alongside the experienced Toor, the contingent also features emerging shot putter Samardeep Singh Gill, highlighting a blend of proven performers and rising talent.

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Toor, 31, remains one of India’s most accomplished throwers. He claimed gold at the previous Asian Indoor Championships in Tehran in 2024 with a best effort of 19.72m, adding to the title he won at the 10th edition in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The Punjab athlete also holds India’s national outdoor shot put record of 21.77m, set in Bhubaneswar in 2023, and is a two-time Asian Games gold medallist.

The championships in Tianjin will mark the start of the 2026 season for several Indian athletes. Among them are promising long jumper Shahnawaz Khan and seasoned triple jumper Praveen Chithravel, both of whom will be eager to make a strong early impression.

The men’s squad also includes notable names such as heptathlete Tejaswin Shankar, who has consistently delivered at continental events, and sprinter Manikanta Hoblidhar, who will compete in the 60m. Tejas Shirse is set to take part in the 60m hurdles, while J Adrash Ram will represent India in the high jump. CV Anurag joins Shahnawaz Khan in the long jump, and Samardeep Singh Gill partners Toor in the shot put.

In the women’s section, India’s leading sprinters Nithya Gandhe and Abhinaya Rajarajan will line up in the 60m dash. Moumita Mondal has been entered in two events – the 60m hurdles and the long jump, while Pragyan Prasanti Sahu will also contest the hurdles. The field events will see Pooja compete in the high jump, Ancy Sojan in the long jump, Yogita in the shot put, and KA Anamika in the pentathlon.

India enjoyed a successful outing at the previous edition of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tehran, where a 13-member team secured four medals including three gold and a silver. Gold medals were won by Tajinderpal Singh Toor in shot put, Jyothi Yarraji in the hurdles and Harmilan Bains, while Ankita claimed silver in the women’s 3000m.