Firstsportz Exclusive – Arpinder Singh Expresses Surprise at Arjuna Award 2020 Snub

Firstsportz Exclusive – Arpinder Singh Expresses Surprise at Arjuna Award 2020 Snub

arpinder singh

Triple jumper Arpinder Singh is currently preparing for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Jalandhar.

Triple jump star Arpinder Singh has expressed his surprise on being snubbed for the Arjuna Award recognition. The 27-year-old track and field star said he wonders what else he needs to do in order to be conferred with the national award.

The national sports award committee recommended a whopping 29 athletes for the Arjuna. 100m runner Dutee Chand was the only track and field star to make the cut.

Back in 2018, Arpinder Singh won the Asian Games gold medal with a 16.77m jump in Jakarta. The star then became the first Indian to win a medal in IAAF Continental Cup. Arpinder clinched the bronze medal with a 16.59m jump in Ostrava.

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“I am bit surprised at being ignored for the Arjuna award,” Arpinder told First Sportz in an exclusive interview. “I won the Asian Games gold medal. Then I also became the first Indian to win a medal at the Continental Cup in 2018. I don’t know what else I need to do prove myself.”

Neeraj Chopra ignored for Khel Ratna

Neeraj Chopra. (File Photo: IANS)

Earlier, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) then commended Arpinder’s effort this year by nominating the triple jumper for the Arjuna Award. AFI also nominated mid-distance runners Manjit Singh and PU Chithra, and Dutee for the award.

Apart from them, the awards committee also surprisingly overlooked javelin star Neeraj Chopra for the Khel Ratna.

The 2018 Asian Games gold medallist in January proved his credential again upon his return from an elbow injury by qualifying for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. He threw staggering 87.86m to qualify for the Games in his first attempt of the season.

Since 2018, Neeraj has improved on his national record while becoming the first javelin thrower to win gold at CWG.

Arpinder continues training in Jalandhar

Amritsar-based Arpinder is currently living at his friend’s house in Jalandhar and is training at a track nearby. The national record holder moved to Jalandhar during the COVID-19 lockdown due to unavailability of training facilities in hometown.