Nagoya, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian distance runner Gulveer Singh credited attention to detail and the support of his wider team after winning silver in the men’s 10,000m at the Asian Games 2026, saying that small details can make a major difference at the highest level.
Gulveer clocked 28:29.38 to finish second in the 25-lap race on Friday, just 1.87 seconds behind Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew, who won gold in 28:27.51. Bahrain’s Albert Kiptoo took bronze in 28:34.38, while China’s Wang Wenjie finished fourth in 28:38.14.
Gulveer stayed with the lead group for much of the race before remaining patient in the closing stages. With 2,000m remaining, he was firmly in medal contention and held his nerve to split Bahrain’s two runners and secure silver.
The result made Gulveer the first Indian to win two Asian Games medals in the men’s 10,000m, adding the silver to the bronze he won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
“It feels good to win a silver medal for India at the Asian Games. Standing on the podium at a championship like this is satisfying. We had prepared for a championship race rather than focusing on timing, and I was able to stick to the race plan,” Gulveer said.
The Indian runner said the strategy was to avoid being drawn into a race against the clock and instead focus on positioning and patience.
“The plan was to stay relaxed, remain with the lead group, and make my move at the right moment. I trusted the race plan my coach and I had discussed, stayed patient throughout, and thankfully it worked out,” he said.
Gulveer has enjoyed a strong 2026 season, having also won silver in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
He credited the Athletics Federation of India and the Inspire Institute of Sport for supporting his development and said his focus remained on making incremental improvements.
“Every year my aim is simply to improve a little more. I don’t think too much about results because they come only if the preparation is good. Winning a medal is a nice result. But for me, the important thing is that the progress is continuing,” he said.
Gulveer also highlighted the contribution of his coaches and support staff, including physiotherapists, strength and conditioning experts and recovery personnel.
“At this level, it’s often the small things that make the biggest difference. Having the right people around you… allows you to focus completely on your training. When those details are taken care of consistently, it helps you perform better on race day,” he said.
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