Did Gulveer Singh Lead India to Gold at the Asian Athletics Championships?

Bangkok, May 27 (NationPress) India commenced its journey at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Bangkok on Tuesday with an impressive performance, spearheaded by national record holder Gulveer Singh, who secured the nation’s inaugural gold medal in the men’s 10,000m event.

Earlier, Servin Sebastian had opened India’s medal tally with a determined bronze in the men’s 20km race walk.

Gulveer, a 26-year-old bronze medallist from the 2023 Asian Games, showcased a calculated and steady approach to dominate the 10,000m race, finishing with a time of 28 minutes 38.63 seconds. Although this was below his national record of 27:00.22, achieved earlier this year, it represents a significant achievement for Indian long-distance running on the continental stage.

Japan’s Mebuki Suzuki claimed the silver with a time of 28:43.84, while Bahrain’s Albert Kibichi Rop secured bronze at 28:46.82.

With a powerful surge in the final 800 metres, Gulveer overtook both Suzuki and Rop, displaying the confidence and strategic acumen that have characterized his season. His victory not only awarded India its first gold of the Championships but also solidified his status as one of Asia's premier long-distance athletes.

Meanwhile, Sebastian displayed tenacity in a highly competitive men’s 20km race walk, earning India’s first medal of the event – a bronze – with a time of 1 hour 21 minutes and 13.60 seconds. He finished just shy of his personal best (1:21:23), which he set during his gold medal-winning performance at the Uttarakhand National Games in February this year.

China’s Wang Zhaozhao took home the gold in 1:20:36.90, narrowly defeating Japan’s Kento Yoshikawa, who finished with silver in 1:20:44.90.

Sebastian remained in the leading pack for much of the race and managed to fend off a late challenge from the pursuing group to secure his place on the podium. The other Indian participant, Amit, finished fifth with a time of 1:22:14.30, just outside the medals but still delivering a commendable performance.

India has dispatched a contingent of 58 athletes to this year’s Asian Athletics Championships, aiming to surpass the 27 medals earned in the last edition. With Gulveer and Sebastian setting a positive tone on Day 1, anticipation builds as the remainder of the Indian team aims to boost the medal count in the upcoming days.

The Championships will run until Saturday, with India targeting strong performances across track, field, and mixed relay events in various categories.