Gulveer Singh claimed a silver medal in the men's 10,000m at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 25 September, clocking 28:29.38 to finish just 1.87 seconds behind gold medallist Birhanu Balew of Bahrain, who crossed the line in 28:27.51. The result makes Gulveer the first Indian athlete to win two Asian Games medals in the men's 10,000m, improving on the bronze he secured at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

How the Race Unfolded

Gulveer stayed tucked within the lead group for much of the 25-lap contest, resisting the temptation to chase time and instead focusing on position and patience. With 2,000m remaining, he was firmly in medal contention, ultimately splitting Bahrain's two runners to claim the silver. Albert Kiptoo of Bahrain took bronze in 28:34.38, while China's Wang Wenjie finished fourth in 28:38.14.

What Gulveer Said

'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. This medal is encouraging, but I know there is still a long way to go and many more races ahead,' Gulveer said after the finish.

On race strategy, he explained: '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.'

The Role of Support Staff and Institutional Backing

Gulveer attributed a significant share of his success to the environment built around him by the Athletics Federation of India and the Inspire Institute of Sport. '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,' he said.

'I'm fortunate to have the support of the Athletics Federation of India. They've created an environment where I can focus completely on training and recovery. My coaches help me keep improving in the small details that make a difference,' he added.

A Standout 2026 Season

The Nagoya silver caps an already impressive 2026 campaign for the Indian distance runner. Earlier in the year, Gulveer won silver in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, underscoring his emergence as one of India's most consistent performers on the global track circuit. Notably, his progressive improvement across Asian Games — from bronze in Hangzhou to silver in Nagoya — places him among the most decorated Indian distance runners of his generation.

With his sights set on continued improvement, Gulveer's next major appearances will be closely watched as India's long-distance running programme gathers momentum.