Tajinderpal's 'Tiger' mentality, Gurindervir's battle with performance stress: Two of Punjab's proud athletes speak after Asiad glory for India
Shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor and sprinter Gurindervir Singh share their emotional journeys after winning medals at the Asian Games.
Returning to the capital after a grueling campaign at the Asian Games, two standout athletes from Punjab shared deeply personal reflections on their journeys. While veteran shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor celebrated his resilience with a "tiger mentality," rising sprinter Gurindervir Singh opened up about the intense psychological pressure of competing at the highest level.
Tajinderpal Toor: The Tiger is Still Alive
Tajinderpal Singh Toor, a seasoned veteran of the shot-put circle, secured a silver medal with a throw of 20.64 metres. While the result adds to his impressive continental medal tally, the veteran admitted he had his sights set on the gold.
Speaking at the Delhi airport, Toor revealed how close he came to the top spot. "The gold medal slipped away by just 17 centimetres. It was raining heavily as well, but I am happy that I won a medal for the country," he said.
Beyond the technicalities of the field, Toor addressed the skepticism that shadowed his selection. Following an injury that saw him finish third at the Inter-State event, many questioned his inclusion in the squad. He responded not just with a medal, but with a defiant message to his critics.
"During my selection at the Inter-State event, I finished third due to an injury. Many people were asking questions like, 'Why are you taking him along?' That is why I said, 'Toor is still here.' Tiger abhi zinda hai (The tiger is still alive),"
Looking ahead, Toor is focused on overcoming the injuries that hampered his Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympic campaigns. His sights are now set on the 22-metre mark and a triumphant performance at the LA 2028 Olympics.
Gurindervir Singh: Battling the Stress of Winning
In contrast to the veteran's defiance, national 100m record-holder Gurindervir Singh provided a vulnerable look into the mind of a modern athlete. Despite being the first Indian man to clock a sub-10.10-second 100m sprint, his recent performances have been a rollercoaster of high expectations and physical setbacks.
After a disappointing fifth-place finish in his individual 100m event at the Asian Games, Gurindervir found redemption in the mixed 4x100m relay, where he helped secure a bronze medal alongside teammates Animesh Kujur, Harita Bhadra, Sneha Gowda, and Abinaya Rajarajan.
The young sprinter admitted that the weight of expectation often takes a mental toll. He confessed to struggling with the "stress of winning," noting that even when technical skills are sharp, the mental battle can be the hardest to win.
"It is a matter of great joy for me that I could win a medal for my country. Moving forward, we will work even harder and win more medals for the country," Gurindervir stated, noting that the relay bronze has helped alleviate some of the mental pressure he had been carrying.
As both athletes look toward the future, their stories highlight the dual nature of elite sports: the sheer physical dominance required to compete, and the immense mental fortitude needed to survive it.