Damneet Singh: From Family Legacy to Hammer Throw Glory | Reliance Foundation Sports

For Damneet Singh, sport was never far from home. Growing up in Barnala, Punjab, he was introduced to athletics by his father, a former national champion pole vaulter. While his elder brother took up pole vault, Damneet found his event in the hammer throw. Football, hockey and sprinting were all part of his early sporting journey before he committed himself to hammer throw professionally in 2013. His progress came quickly. From winning at the school level to collecting medals at his first Nationals and international competition, Damneet began to believe that sport could take him all the way. But the transition to the senior level brought new challenges - injuries, technical problems and a lack of specialized guidance slowed his progress. A move to Reliance Foundation Sports marked a turning point. Working with coach Steve Lemke and a professional support system, Damneet spent his first year rebuilding his technique and unlearning habits that had held him back. In 2025, the results began to show, as he returned to the 68m-plus range and continued to build consistency. In March 2026, Damneet threw a personal best 70.64m at the Indian Open Throws Competition - putting him short of the national record and earning him his place in India’s Asian Games squad. Now, as he takes on the Asian Games 2026, Damneet is carrying more than a hammer into the circle. He carries his family’s sporting legacy, years of setbacks and one ambition that has remained unchanged: to win an Olympic medal. Watch Damneet Singh’s story on the Reliance Foundation Sports YouTube channel.