Imagine always being just a step behind your idol, learning, pushing, grinding, matching him throw for throw, but never quite breaking through. That was Samardeep Singh Gill바카라s story in Indian shot put, always second to Tajinderpal Singh Toor. Then came the Federation Cup, and everything changed in a single throw. With a thunderous 19.34-metre heave, Gill didn바카라t just outshine Toor, he claimed the shot put spot of the reigning Asian champion in India바카라s squad for the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships.
This wasn바카라t just a victory; it was a shift in power. In Indian shot put, where the spotlight had long rested on Toor, a two-time Asian Games champion, a new name broke through. Today, that spotlight has switched. It바카라s safe to say Gill isn바카라t walking in anyone바카라s footsteps anymore; he바카라s carving out a legacy of his own.
He shares with Outlook his experience of defeating his senior for the first time: 바카라I think he had some injury, he was going for a strong throw, we바카라ve all seen him do that. But yeah, we all know what he is capable of. I just feel happy and proud that I won, and I also know that we have learned that from him only.바카라
Samardeep Singh Gill바카라s Journey: From Cricket Pitch To Shot Put Circle
Gill is 24 now. Standing 6바카라6바카라 and built like a wall, you바카라d think he was destined to throw a 7.26 kg metal ball. But surprisingly, shot put wasn바카라t part of his original plans. He dreamed of becoming a cricketer. 바카라I was just a fat, tall kid back then, hoping to be a right-arm pace bowler,바카라 he laughs.
Fate took him into the shot put circle. Family friend, Jagminder, a former shot put athlete, noticed his potential. 바카라He looked at me and said, 바카라I바카라ll make him fit,바카라바카라 Gill recalls. Day by day, Jagminder trained him, and at 18, Gill made the switch, and never looked back. Soon after, he won his first medal, a district gold. From that moment on, the shot put circle became his life.
바카라It바카라s been a rollercoaster, with plenty of ups and downs,바카라 he says. 바카라But I never gave up. My dream has always been simple: to make India proud.바카라
When asked about facing Toor, Gill says, 바카라I바카라m happy to have secured first place, but Toor paaji is a senior with great experience. He holds both the national and meet records, and I aspire to be like him.바카라 The youngster adds, 바카라He바카라s always been kind to me and to everyone. When I won, he congratulated me, and that meant a lot.바카라
Gill바카라s journey truly changed when he met his coach, K Sandeep Singh, who hails from the Army Corps of Signals, at Bhopal바카라s Tatya Tope Stadium. 바카라He바카라s strict when it comes to training, but always there to support me,바카라 Gill explains.
바카라He plans every detail and helps me overcome every hurdle, whether on the field or off it. I work on faith; if the people around me, my family, my coach, tell me that I can do it, then I believe I can. Faith works for me. After that, I just focus on my technique. I바카라m incredibly grateful for his guidance.바카라
With that support, Gill pushed his personal best from 17 to 19 metres, an achievement he proudly owns as a milestone in his career.
Gill also opens up about the toughest phase of his career, competing professionally without a coach. 바카라When I started shot put in the early stages, there was no coach for me, and I struggled a lot,바카라 he said. 바카라But reaching my highest point so far and winning these medals makes all those struggles worth it.바카라
On sponsorships, Gill doesn바카라t shy away from the harsh reality many young athletes face. He admits, 바카라I don바카라t have any sponsors yet.바카라
Samardeep Singh Gill On Staying Grounded: No Sponsors, Just Faith, Family, And Focus
Despite having no sponsors, Gill stays deeply grateful for the support that has carried him this far, especially from his coach, his parents, and the MP academy. He treasures his family바카라s presence, saying, 바카라It means everything when my parents come to watch me compete. Winning in front of them makes it all the more special.바카라
His father Mahendra Singh Gill, a Railways employee, and his mother Manjeet Kaur have been his rock through it all. 바카라They바카라ve stood by me every step of the way. Everything I바카라ve achieved is because I know they바카라re always there.바카라
But what바카라s next for Gill? 바카라This is just the beginning,바카라 he says. 바카라I want to break the 20-metre mark and win at international tournaments, making the country proud. Every time I improve my performance in competitions, it motivates me to set new targets and chase bigger goals.바카라
Gill competes at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi on May 29, with the men바카라s shot put event scheduled for 1:35 PM IST. After defeating Toor at the national meet, Gill is no longer just a newcomer; he바카라s stepping up to lead the next wave.
바카라I바카라m not here as Toor paaji바카라s rival or just the new guy who defeated him,바카라 Gill says. 바카라We are competitors, sure, but more like a junior and senior in the arena. I want to maintain the fear he has given other competitors in international tournaments, and I hope I do that. I still have a long way to go.바카라
Indian athletics is growing stronger, with experienced athletes supporting fresh talent. This isn바카라t about rivalry; it바카라s about building a legacy together.
As India바카라s sole shot putter at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, Gill is ready to make his mark on the big stage.
