Mumbai : Triple jumper and Asian Games gold medallist Arpinder Singh aims at a podium finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after becoming the first Indian to clinch a medal in the IAAF Continental Cup.
Before the Tokyo Games, he has a golden chance to test his mettle at next year’s Asian and World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
“This year has been really amazing for me. Next year, there is Asian Track and Field (athletics championships) and the World Championships and I hope to do well in these tournaments,” Arpinder told reporters here Tuesday.
After the Asiad gold, Arpinder created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the IAAF Continental Cup at Ostrava in Czech Republic as he clinched bronze with a modest effort of 16.59 metres.
“My target is the Tokyo Olympics and I hope I get a medal over there as well,” said Arpinder at a promotional event of Godrej Cinthol.
“No doubt, the competition will be greater at the Olympics than the Asian Games. If we give our best, I’m sure we will get a medal. 17.17 is my best and even this year I did 17.09 in the inter-state (meet), so my performance has been very good. I am sure that I will get a medal in the World Championships if I do 17.40, which is my target,” he said.
Arpinder had jumped 16.77 metres in the Asian Games held in Palembang and Jakarta to clinch India’s first gold medal at the continental show-piece in 48 years in triple jump.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist has a personal best of 17.17 metres which he recorded in 2014.
