Father fights cancer; son rivals
Age: 24
State: Punjab
Season best: 20.75m (NR) Previous best: 20.40m
Old India record 20.69m set by Om Prakash in Hungary, 2012 MOGA/NEW DELHI: Tajinderpal Singh Toor extended India’s impressive record in shot put at Asian Games, winning their ninth gold medal in the discipline at the continental event.
The win set off celebrations in his hometown of Moga where his family had stood by him as his father fought cancer.
Mother Pritpal Kaur, 50, said she was overwhelmed with his son’s achievement and the house was flooded with well-wishers. “He had a dream that he wanted to make his father proud by winning gold at the Asian Games,” she said.
“We all are proud of his achievement as he had to strug- gle a lot in his career. He had to take care of the family along with his regular training. We always told him that his father was keeping well just to keep him away from pressure. He wanted to visit the village but I told him to concentrate on his training and return with a medal. He has kept his promise.”
The family watched Tajinderpal’s event live on television. His younger sister is settled in USA.
Hailing from Khosa Pandu vil- lage, Moga district, in Punjab, Tajinderpal was encouraged by his uncle to take up throwing events.
“It will encourage youngsters of the village to take up sports,” said Major Singh, the village sarpanch.
In 2013, his father was diagnosed with the ailment and underwent surgery. The family had to spend ~10 lakh. Unfortunately two years later, his health worsened. While it was skin cancer earlier, now he is also suffering from brain cancer.
The last three months have been emotionally draining for the Asian Games champion. He had to attend to his ailing father who was admitted to Army Hospitals in both Panchkula and Delhi, and had to focus on his training at the same time.
(in metres) 2011 Bahadur Singh Sagoo SHOT PUTTER’S FATHER HAS BEEN AILING FOR A LONG TIME BUT THE FAMILY SHIELDED HIM BY SAYING HE IS KEEPING WELL, SAYS MOTHER