Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Samardeep Singh Gill Qualify for Men’s Shot Put Final at Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s medal hopes in Athletics received a boost on Wednesday as Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Samardeep Singh Gill qualified for the men’s shot put final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Both athletes advanced comfortably from the qualification round and will now compete for medals in Thursday’s final.

Tajinderpal Singh Toor clears automatic qualification mark

National record holder Tajinderpal Singh Toor needed just two attempts in Group A to book his place in the final. After opening with a throw of 19.93m, the experienced Indian improved to 20.14m on his second attempt, surpassing the automatic qualification mark of 20 metres.

His effort ranked as the second-best throw overall in the qualification round, allowing him to skip his final attempt and conserve energy for the medal event.

Samardeep Singh Gill also advances

Competing in Group B, Samardeep Singh Gill recorded his best throw of 19.95m on his opening attempt. He followed it up with a throw of 19.75m before registering a foul on his third attempt.

Gill finished fifth overall among the 15 competitors across both qualification groups, comfortably earning a place in the final as one of the top 12 performers.

Tom Walsh tops qualification standings

Defending Commonwealth Games champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand produced the best performance of the qualification round with a first-attempt throw of 21.03m, underlining his status as the favourite to retain the title.

India eyes athletics medal

The 31-year-old Toor enters the final with a season’s best of 21.03m, while his national record stands at 21.77m, set in 2023. The two-time Asian Games gold medallist is competing in his second Commonwealth Games after missing the 2022 edition due to a groin injury.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Gill has enjoyed a steady season, with a personal best and season’s best of 20.46m. Both Indian throwers will now look to challenge the world’s best for a podium finish in Thursday’s final.

Men’s Shot Put Qualification Highlights

• Tajinderpal Singh Toor: 20.14m (Qualified)
• Samardeep Singh Gill: 19.95m (Qualified)
• Top Qualifier: Tom Walsh (New Zealand) – 21.03m
• Automatic Qualification Mark: 20.00m
• Final: Thursday, Commonwealth Games 2026