Gulveer Singh wins Asian Games silver, first Indian with two 10000m medals
Synopsis
Gulveer Singh didn't just win silver in Nagoya — he made history. By finishing second in the men's 10,000m at the 2026 Asian Games, the 28-year-old Indian Army runner became the first Indian to win two Asian Games medals in the event, capping an extraordinary 2026 season that also includes Commonwealth Games medals and a sub-60-minute half marathon.
Key Takeaways
Gulveer Singh won silver in the men's 10,000m at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on 25 September 2026 .
He clocked 28:29.38 , finishing 1.87 seconds behind gold medallist Birhanu Balew of Bahrain.
Gulveer became the first Indian to win two Asian Games medals in the men's 10,000m, adding silver to his 2023 Hangzhou bronze .
In 2026 , he also won silver and bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and ran a half marathon in 59:42 — a first for an Indian.
He holds Indian national records in the 5,000m (12:59.77) and 10,000m (27:00.22) , and is the first Asian to break 13 minutes indoors in the 5,000m.
Gulveer Singh etched his name into Indian athletics history on Friday, 25 September 2026, becoming the first Indian to win two Asian Games medals in the men's 10,000m after clinching silver at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya. The 28-year-old Army runner clocked 28:29.38 to finish second in the gruelling 25-lap race, adding silver to the bronze he claimed at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
How the Race Unfolded
Bahrain's Birhanu Balew won gold in 28:27.51, finishing just 1.87 seconds ahead of Gulveer, while Bahrain's Albert Kiptoo took bronze in 28:34.38. China's Wang Wenjie finished fourth in 28:38.14. Gulveer tracked the leaders through the middle stages and remained in medal contention with 2,000m remaining, before producing enough finishing pace to split Bahrain's two runners and claim silver.
A Historic Double on the Asian Games Podium
Gulveer's silver in Nagoya makes him the first Indian to stand on the Asian Games podium twice in the men's 10,000m. His first medal came at Hangzhou 2023, where he won bronze behind compatriot Kartik Kumar, who took silver — a rare Indian double that ended a long drought in the event at the Asian Games. The Nagoya silver marks a step up from that performance, both in terms of personal achievement and competitive finish time.
A Breakout 2026 Season
The Nagoya medal caps a remarkable 2026 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. Earlier in 2026, he also became the first Indian to complete a half marathon under 60 minutes, recording 59:42. He trains at high altitude in Colorado Springs under coach Scott Simmons.
Record-Breaking Career Credentials
A Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, Gulveer holds national records in both the 5,000m (12:59.77) and 10,000m (27:00.22). His 12:59.77 indoor 5,000m made him the first Asian athlete to break the 13-minute barrier indoors. 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. With the 2026 Asian Games silver now in his cabinet, Gulveer's place among India's greatest long-distance runners appears firmly secured — and further records may well follow.
Point of View
India rarely featured in 10,000m finals at major Games; now Gulveer is a consistent podium threat across three distances on two continents. What is easy to miss in the celebration is how much of this depends on one athlete and one coaching setup in Colorado Springs: India's long-distance pipeline beyond Gulveer remains thin, and replicating this model at scale is the real challenge for Athletics Federation of India. The question for the next quad is whether the system builds on Gulveer's blueprint or merely celebrates it.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gulveer Singh achieve at the 2026 Asian Games?
Gulveer Singh won silver in the men's 10,000m at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on 25 September, clocking 28:29.38. This made him the first Indian to win two Asian Games medals in the men's 10,000m, having also won bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Who won gold in the men's 10,000m at the 2026 Asian Games?
Bahrain's Birhanu Balew won gold in 28:27.51, finishing 1.87 seconds ahead of Gulveer Singh. His compatriot Albert Kiptoo took bronze in 28:34.38.
What other records does Gulveer Singh hold?
Gulveer holds Indian national records in the 5,000m (12:59.77) and 10,000m (27:00.22). His indoor 5,000m time made him the first Asian athlete to break the 13-minute barrier, and in 2026 he became the first Indian to run a half marathon under 60 minutes, recording 59:42.
What was Gulveer Singh's performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Gulveer 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.
Who is Gulveer Singh and where does he train?
Gulveer Singh is a 28-year-old Naib Subedar in the Indian Army and one of India's top long-distance runners. He trains at high altitude in Colorado Springs under coach Scott Simmons, and has won medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Athletics Championships.
