National Senior Athletics Federation Competition: Madhya Pradesh’s 25-year-old shot putter Samardeep Singh Gill outclassed seasoned Punjab thrower Tajinderpal Singh Toor to clinch gold in the men’s shot put event and secure qualification for the Commonwealth Games on the final day of the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition at Birsa Munda Stadium on Monday.
Two-time Asian Games champion Toor opened strongly with a throw of 20.07m, but Gill produced the decisive effort in his fourth attempt, registering 20.46m to move ahead and eventually seal the gold medal. Toor failed to recover the lead, managing 20.06m in his final attempt. Punjab’s Karanveer Singh finished third with 19.38m.
Gill also breached the Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 20.36m.