Gulveer Singh Makes History as India Strike 10,000m Silver

Gulveer Singh added another chapter to his remarkable rise in Indian distance running on Friday, winning silver in the men's 10,000m at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya and becoming the first Indian to win two medals in the event.

The 28-year-old clocked 28:29.38 at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium to improve on the bronze he won at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Bahrain's Birhanu Balew held off the Indian to claim gold in 28:27.51, while his compatriot Albert Kiptoo completed the podium with a time of 28:34.38.

For Gulveer, the result was more than another medal. It marked his second successive Asian Games podium in one of the most demanding events on the athletics programme, underlining the consistency he has built over the past three years.

Gulveer Singh moves up from bronze to silver

Gulveer remained within touching distance of the leading group through much of the 25-lap race, carefully conserving his position as the pace began to take its toll.

With 2,000 metres remaining, the Indian was firmly in medal contention and stayed composed through the punishing closing stages. As the Bahrain runners pushed towards the finish, Gulveer found enough in reserve to split the pair and secure silver.

Balew ultimately finished 1.87 seconds ahead of Gulveer, while Kiptoo crossed the line in third.

The result also reversed the order from Hangzhou to some extent. Gulveer had finished third three years ago, behind compatriot Kartik Kumar, who won silver. This time, he was India's highest finisher and became the first Indian to collect two Asian Games medals in the men's 10,000m.

Another milestone in a breakthrough year

The silver continues what has been a prolific 2026 season for Gulveer.

At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he won silver in the 10,000m and added bronze in the 5,000m. His silver also made him the first Indian man to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the 10,000m.

That came after an increasingly decorated run on the continental circuit. Gulveer 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.

He arrived in Nagoya, therefore, not merely as a returning Asian Games medallist but as one of India's established names in long-distance running.

Gulveer Singh's record-breaking credentials

Away from the medal tally, Gulveer has steadily rewritten India's distance-running record books.

He holds the national records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, with marks of 12:59.77 and 27:00.22 respectively. His 12:59.77 in the short-track 5,000m also made him the first Asian athlete to break the 13-minute barrier indoors.

Earlier in 2026, he became the first Indian to run a half marathon in under 60 minutes, recording 59:42.

A Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, Gulveer has been training at altitude in Colorado Springs under coach Scott Simmons as he continues to build towards the biggest international competitions.

The latest silver in Nagoya now gives him another distinction: two Asian Games medals in the men's 10,000m, a feat no Indian had achieved before him.