Asian Games: Gulveer Singh Wins Silver, Becomes First Indian With Two Men’s 10,000m Medals

Nagoya, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Gulveer Singh created Indian athletics history on Friday by becoming the first Indian to win two Asian Games medals in the men’s 10,000m, securing silver at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya.

Gulveer clocked 28:29.38 to finish second in the gruelling 25-lap race, adding the silver to the bronze he won in the same event at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew won the gold in 28:27.51, finishing 1.87 seconds ahead of Gulveer, while his compatriot Albert Kiptoo claimed bronze in 28:34.38. China’s Wang Wenjie finished fourth in 28:38.14.

Gulveer stayed close to the leaders through the middle stages and remained in medal contention with 2,000 metres remaining. He maintained his position through the demanding closing laps before finding enough pace to split Bahrain’s two runners and secure silver.

His latest medal improves on his Hangzhou performance, where he won bronze behind compatriot Kartik Kumar, who took silver. Their double podium finish in 2023 ended a long wait for India in the men’s 10,000m at the Asian Games.

The Nagoya silver adds to a breakthrough 2026 season for Gulveer. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he won silver in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m, becoming the first Indian man to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the 10,000m.

A Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, the 28-year-old has established himself as one of India’s leading long-distance runners. He won bronze in the 5,000m at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships before completing a golden double in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea.

Gulveer also holds Indian national records in the 5,000m and 10,000m, with timings of 12:59.77 in the 5,000m short track and 27:00.22 in the 10,000m. His 12:59.77 made him the first Asian athlete to break the 13-minute barrier indoors.

In 2026, he also became the first Indian to run a half marathon in under 60 minutes, clocking 59:42. He trains at high altitude in Colorado Springs under coach Scott Simmons.