PM Modi hails Gulveer Singh's Asian Games hat-trick, Pooja's bronze and relay team
Synopsis
Gulveer Singh became the first Indian in 40 years to win three medals at a single Asian Games edition — and PM Modi was quick to celebrate. With Pooja ending a two-decade medal drought in women's high jump and the women's relay team clinching India's first-ever Asian Games gold in the 4x400m, 29 September 2026 may go down as the most productive single day in Indian athletics at the Asian Games.
Key Takeaways
Gulveer Singh won bronze in the men's 5000m (13:32.75), completing a hat-trick of medals — first Indian in 40 years to achieve this at a single Asian Games.
Pooja claimed bronze in the women's high jump , India's first Asian Games medal in the event in over two decades .
The men's 4x400m relay team of Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil Saji, Jay Kumar and Vishal Thennarasu won bronze in a season-best 3:01.61 .
The women's 4x400m relay team won gold in 3:29.69 — India's first-ever Asian Games gold in the event.
The mixed 4x100m relay team set a national record of 41.06 seconds to win bronze.
PM Narendra Modi personally congratulated each team and athlete via posts on X .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 congratulated Gulveer Singh on completing a historic hat-trick of podium finishes at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, while also lauding Pooja for her high jump bronze and the men's 4x400m relay team for their third-place finish. The Prime Minister's messages came after one of the most decorated single days for Indian athletics at the Games.
Gulveer Singh's Historic Hat-Trick
Gulveer Singh clocked 13:32.75 to claim bronze in the men's 5000m final, adding to the silver medals he had already secured in the 10,000m and 1500m. The three-medal haul made him the first Indian athlete in 40 years to win three medals at a single edition of the Asian Games — a feat that drew an immediate response from the Prime Minister's Office.
'It's truly been a special Asian Games for Gulveer Singh! Congratulations to him on winning the bronze in the men's 5000m. It's a remarkable hat-trick of podium finishes. His consistency, endurance and determination are noteworthy. Best wishes to him for many more successes ahead,' the PMO wrote on X.
Pooja's Landmark High Jump Bronze
Pooja won bronze in the women's high jump, marking India's first Asian Games medal in the event in more than two decades. The achievement was equally celebrated by the Prime Minister, who called it 'truly a memorable achievement.'
'A proud moment for Indian athletics! Congratulations to Pooja on winning the bronze medal in the women's high jump at the Asian Games 2026. This is India's first medal in the event at the Asian Games in over two decades,' the PMO posted on X.
Men's 4x400m Relay Bronze on Season-Best Time
The Indian quartet of Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil Saji, Jay Kumar, and Vishal Thennarasu clocked a season-best 3:01.61 to win bronze in the men's 4x400m relay. Modi hailed the team in a separate post, expressing hope that their success would boost the popularity of athletics in India.
A Golden Day for Indian Athletics
The relay performances did not stop there. Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary, and Vithya Ramraj won the women's 4x400m relay in 3:29.69 — giving India its first-ever Asian Games gold in that event. The mixed 4x100m relay quartet of Gurindervir Singh, Sneha Sathyanarayana, Animesh Kujur, and Harita Bhadra also secured bronze with a national record of 41.06 seconds.
The day's haul underscores a broader resurgence in Indian track and field, with depth across distances and relay formats signalling a new competitive era. Eyes will now turn to whether India can build on this momentum heading into future global championships.
Point of View
India's track presence at the Asian Games was confined to sprints and relays; a single athlete dominating across 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m is structurally significant. The women's 4x400m gold and the mixed relay national record suggest depth, not just individual outliers. The more searching question is whether the Athletics Federation of India has the infrastructure to convert this Games performance into sustained World Athletics competitiveness — a leap that past Asian Games success stories have routinely failed to make.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gulveer Singh's hat-trick at Asian Games 2026?
Gulveer Singh won three medals at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 — silver in the 10,000m, silver in the 1500m, and bronze in the 5000m (clocked at 13:32.75). This made him the first Indian athlete in 40 years to win three medals at a single edition of the Asian Games.
Why is Pooja's high jump bronze historically significant?
Pooja's bronze in the women's high jump at the Asian Games 2026 is India's first medal in that event at the Asian Games in more than two decades. PM Modi called it 'truly a memorable achievement' in a post on X.
Who were the members of India's men's 4x400m relay team at Asian Games 2026?
The men's 4x400m relay bronze was won by Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil Saji, Jay Kumar, and Vishal Thennarasu. The team clocked a season-best 3:01.61 to finish on the podium.
Did India win gold at the Asian Games 2026 in athletics?
Yes. The women's 4x400m relay team of Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary, and Vithya Ramraj won gold in 3:29.69 — India's first-ever Asian Games gold in that event.
What national record did India set at the Asian Games 2026?
The mixed 4x100m relay quartet of Gurindervir Singh, Sneha Sathyanarayana, Animesh Kujur, and Harita Bhadra set a national record of 41.06 seconds while winning bronze at the Asian Games 2026.
