Rajnath Singh hails Gulveer Singh's historic CWG silver
Synopsis
Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh became the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the Men's 10,000 metres, claiming silver at the 2026 Games in Victoria. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as 'historic and exemplary,' saluting the soldier-athlete's determination.
Key Takeaways
Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh won the silver medal in the Men's 10,000 metres at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Victoria, Australia .
He is the first Indian ever to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the 10,000 metres event.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the achievement 'historic and exemplary' on 29 July 2026 .
Gulveer Singh holds the rank of Naib Subedar in the Indian Army , continuing the tradition of soldier-athletes representing India.
India has historically won few Commonwealth Games medals in long-distance track events, making this silver a significant milestone.
A soldier crossed the finish line in Victoria, Australia, and made history — Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh became the first Indian ever to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the Men's 10,000 metres, claiming silver at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was among the first to mark the moment, calling it 'historic and exemplary' in a post on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
A first for India in the 10,000 metres
No Indian had stood on a Commonwealth Games podium in the 10,000 metres before Gulveer Singh did it. The event demands a rare blend of pace and endurance over 25 laps, and Indian distance runners have historically found the discipline punishing at the elite international level. That makes this silver not just a personal milestone but a marker in the country's long-distance running story. Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh serves in the Indian Army — a reminder of the long tradition of soldier-athletes who balance military duty with competitive sport. The armed forces have been a steady pipeline for Indian athletics, providing structure, coaching access, and competitive opportunity to runners who might otherwise lack institutional support.Rajnath Singh's tribute to a soldier-athlete
Rajnath Singh, himself a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Union Home Minister before taking charge of the Defence Ministry, framed the achievement in terms of character as much as sport. 'This success is even more special as he becomes the first Indian ever to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event,' he wrote, adding that Gulveer Singh's 'unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination' had 'made the nation proud.' The congratulation from the Defence Minister carries particular weight given Gulveer Singh's military rank — a Naib Subedar is a junior commissioned officer in the Indian Army, and his achievement reflects directly on the institution his minister leads.India's athletics story at the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games medals in track athletics have been rare for India outside a handful of disciplines. This silver in the 10,000 metres opens a new column on that record. With India's remaining events at the 2026 Games in Victoria still to unfold, Gulveer Singh's run sets a benchmark — and a target — for the athletes who follow him to the track. A Naib Subedar laced up his spikes, ran 25 laps, and wrote a line of history. The Defence Minister noticed. So should the rest of the country.Point of View
A discipline the country has long struggled to crack at the elite multi-sport level. The Defence Minister's prompt, personal congratulation underscores how the armed forces position soldier-athletes as symbols of national pride — a soft-power move that serves both institutional and diplomatic purposes. For the BJP government, a uniformed serviceman winning a historic first on an international stage is a narrative gift: it ties military honour to sporting glory in a single image. The broader question is whether this medal signals a structural improvement in India's long-distance pipeline or remains an individual outlier.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh?
Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh is an Indian Army junior commissioned officer and long-distance runner who won the silver medal in the Men's 10,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games 2026, becoming the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in that event.
What did Gulveer Singh win at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Gulveer Singh won the silver medal in the Men's 10,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Victoria, Australia.
Why is Gulveer Singh's medal historic?
It is the first Commonwealth Games medal ever won by an Indian athlete in the Men's 10,000 metres event, a discipline in which India had not previously reached the podium.
What did Rajnath Singh say about Gulveer Singh?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the achievement 'historic and exemplary' and said Gulveer Singh's 'unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination' had made the nation proud.
Where are the Commonwealth Games 2026 being held?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 are being held in Victoria, Australia.
