Balwinder Dhaliwal, Asian Games Shot Putter, Dies at 67

Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal was an Indian shot putter and Arjuna Award recipient who died in Chandigarh on 1 June 2026 at the age of 67. He won a bronze medal at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and multiple medals at the Asian Athletics Championships.

Shot Put in Athletics

Shot put is a field event in athletics in which an athlete puts a heavy spherical shot from the shoulder with one hand. The standard men’s shot weighs 7.26 kg, and the event is governed internationally by World Athletics.

Balwinder Dhaliwal’s Career Record

Dhaliwal was a 10-time national champion in shot put between 1981 and 1992. He won silver at the 1983 Asian Athletics Championships, gold at the 1985 Asian Athletics Championships, and bronze at the 1987 Asian Athletics Championships. He set an Asian record of 18.71 metres in 1986 at an international meet in New Delhi.

Awards and Post-Retirement Roles

Dhaliwal received the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in 1983 and the Arjuna Award in 1987. His name was recorded in the Limca Book of Records in 1988. He worked as an athletics coach at Punjab University from 2016 to 2024 and served as vice-president of the Chandigarh Athletics Association.

Important Facts for Exams

• The 1982 Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India.
• The Arjuna Award is one of India’s national sports awards.
• The Asian Athletics Championships are organised by the Asian Athletics Association.
• The Limca Book of Records is an Indian record reference publication.

His cremation was scheduled for 3 June 2026 at Sector 25 Burning Ghat in Chandigarh. He is survived by his wife Hardish Kaur, son Paramjit Singh, and daughters Harman Kaur and Tarandeep Kaur.