Nagoya, Sep 25 Indian long-distance runner Gulveer Singh upgraded his Asian Games medal from bronze to silver as he clocked 28:29.38 minutes in the men’s 10,000m to add another major international medal to his tally in an impressive 2026 season, here on Friday.
Gulveer, who had won bronze at the previous edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, finished second behind Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew, who claimed the gold in 28:27.51 minutes.
Bahrain’s Albert Kipto completed the podium with a time of 28:34.18 minutes.
The silver adds another major medal to Gulveer’s collection this year after he had also finished second at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
“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,” said Gulveer.
“We had prepared for a championship race rather than focusing on timing, and I was able to stick to the race plan. This medal is encouraging, but I know there is still a long way to go and many more races ahead.”
Speaking about the race, Gulveer said the focus was on staying relaxed and not getting pulled into a race against the clock.
“Championship races are always different from races where you’re chasing time. 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 also pointed to the role of his support team in helping him prepare for races at this level.
“At this level, it’s often the small things that make the biggest difference. Having the right people around you, from coaches to physiotherapists, strength and conditioning experts and recovery staff, allows you to focus completely on your training. When those details are taken care of consistently, it helps you perform better on race day,” said the IIS athlete.
Gulveer had won a silver in the 10,000m and a bronze in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
The 28-year-old, a serving Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, has been in outstanding form over the last two years, winning gold medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea.
He holds the national records in the 5,000m, 10,000m, one mile and half marathon.
In 2025, he became the first Indian to run a sub-four-minute mile, clocking 3:55.63, and the first Indian to complete a half marathon in under 60 minutes with a time of 59:42.
He also became the first Asian athlete to break the 13-minute barrier in the indoor 5,000m, recording 12:59.77.
Gulveer has been training at Colorado Springs in the United States as part of his preparation for major international competitions.
(PTI News)
