Tajinderpal Toor chases hat-trick of golds, eyes historic first for Indian athletics

Nagoya: Shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor might have missed a chance to carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony, but the star remains a favourite to raise it for the third consecutive time at the Asian Games as the track and field events kick off at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya on Thursday.

While athletics icon Neeraj Chopra had a premature end to his season due to injury, Tajinderpal is certain to finish on top. A two-time defending champion, the 31-year-old hopes to complete his hat-trick of gold medals and enter the history books as the first-ever Indian track and field athlete to stand on top of the podium three times in a row in a single event.