Samardeep Gill clinches gold in National Open Athletics C’ships

Young Indian shot put athlete Samardeep Gill clinched the gold medal at the National Open Athletics Championships 2025 in Ranchi on Monday, stunning two-time Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor in a closely fought competition.

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Competing at the Birsa Munda Stadium, Samardeep Gill produced the winning throw of 19.79m on his sixth and final attempt. Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who also saved his best for the last, hurled 19.32m to settle for silver, Ravi Kumar secured the bronze with a throw of 18.23m, according to Olympics.com.

This marked the third consecutive defeat of the former Asian record holder and Olympian Tajinderpal Singh Toor against the 24-year-old Indian athlete.

At the National Inter-State Championships 2025 in Chennai last month, Samardeep Gill took gold with a personal best of 19.82m throw, relegating Tajinderpal Singh Toor (19.41m) to silver.