Sonowal hails Gulveer Singh's historic CWG 10,000m silver
Synopsis
Long-distance runner Gulveer Singh became the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the Men's 10,000m, clocking 27:49.78 for silver at CWG2026. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the achievement as monumental, calling it a source of pride for the entire nation.
Key Takeaways
Gulveer Singh won the silver medal in the Men's 10,000m at CWG2026 , clocking 27:49.78 .
He is the first Indian athlete to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the 10,000m event.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal posted congratulations on X on 29 July 2026 .
Sonowal described the achievement as 'monumental' and said it made 'the entire nation incredibly proud.' The milestone is a significant marker for India's long-distance running programme at the international level.
For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, an Indian has stood on the podium in the Men's 10,000 metres — and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal was among the first to mark the moment. On Wednesday, 29 July 2026, Sonowal took to X to congratulate long-distance runner Gulveer Singh on claiming a silver medal at #CWG2026, clocking 27:49.78 in a run the minister called 'monumental.'
A barrier broken in Glasgow — or wherever the Games are hosted
No Indian had ever won a Commonwealth Games medal in the 10,000m. Gulveer Singh ended that wait with a single race. His time of 27 minutes 49.78 seconds was enough for silver — a number that will sit in the record books as a first. Sonowal's post captured the weight of it plainly: 'Clocking an impressive 27:49.78 to become the first Indian to ever win a Commonwealth Games medal in this event is a monumental achievement.'Gulveer Singh: India's long-distance hope delivers
Gulveer Singh has emerged as one of India's most watched long-distance runners in recent years. The 10,000m is among the most gruelling track events — twenty-five laps of sustained speed and tactical nerve. A silver at the Commonwealth Games, in an event India had never previously medalled in, marks a clear step forward for the country's distance-running programme.Ministers, medals, and a well-worn tradition
India's political class has long used major international sporting results as a moment of public affirmation. Senior ministers posting congratulations after podium finishes is now a fixture of the country's sporting calendar — a signal, however brief, that athletic achievement registers at the highest levels of government. Sonowal's message, closing with the hashtag #Cheer4Bharat, fits squarely in that tradition. One silver in one event. But for Indian distance running, it is the first of its kind — and that is exactly the kind of milestone that tends to inspire the runners who come next.Point of View
Particularly ahead of larger global events. For India's athletics ecosystem, a first podium in the 10,000m signals that investment in distance-running infrastructure may be yielding measurable returns. The question now is whether this becomes a one-off or the opening of a new chapter for Indian endurance athletes on the world stage.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gulveer Singh?
Gulveer Singh is an Indian long-distance runner who made history at CWG2026 by becoming the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the Men's 10,000m, taking the silver with a time of 27:49.78 .
What did Gulveer Singh win at CWG 2026?
Gulveer Singh won the silver medal in the Men's 10,000m at the 2026 Commonwealth Games , clocking 27 minutes 49.78 seconds — a historic first for India in this event.
What is Sarbananda Sonowal's role in the government?
Sarbananda Sonowal is India's Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways . He is a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Assam.
Has India ever won a Commonwealth Games medal in the 10,000m before?
No. According to the post by Minister Sonowal, Gulveer Singh's silver at CWG2026 is the first-ever Commonwealth Games medal for India in the Men's 10,000m event.
What is the hashtag Cheer4Bharat?
#Cheer4Bharat is a social media hashtag used by Indian politicians, officials, and fans to rally public support for Indian athletes during major international sporting events like the Commonwealth Games.
