– by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Aichi-Nagoya ,Japan
Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh delivered a determined performance to secure the Silver Medal in the men’s 10,000m at the Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, adding another proud chapter to India’s athletics campaign and bringing immense pride to the Indian Army. Clocking 28:29.38, Gulveer produced a composed and courageous race, remaining firmly in contention until the final stages before being edged out by a faster finishing kick.
The 10,000m demanded not only physical endurance but also tactical discipline and immense mental strength. For much of the race, Gulveer conserved his energy and remained focused on the decisive closing stages. As the final lap approached, he accelerated sharply, covering the last 400 metres in approximately 57 seconds, appearing poised to make a decisive move for gold.
However, Birhanu Balew responded with an even stronger finish, completing the closing 400 metres in just over 55 seconds to take the gold medal by 1.87 seconds. The result underlined the crucial role of finishing speed in a race that had otherwise been dominated by endurance and tactical positioning.
Reflecting on the outcome, Gulveer acknowledged the difference in raw speed between the two athletes. “Koshish kiya tha (I tried), but he’s a 12:45 runner [over 5,000m] and I’m a 13:03 runner,” he said after the race, highlighting the advantage Balew possessed over the shorter distance.
Gulveer’s coach, Scott Simmons, believed a faster overall pace could have created a different race scenario for his athlete. “His best chance would have been if the race was a fast one, like a 27-minute race,” Simmons said. Gulveer, who holds the Indian national record of 27:00.02 in the 10,000m, may have been among the few athletes capable of forcing such a pace, but his demanding schedule at the Games meant that energy conservation was also an important consideration.
The 28-year-old is competing in multiple events at the Asian Games, with the 1,500m and 5,000m also on his schedule. His 1,500m heats begin on Saturday, with the final scheduled a few days later, followed by the 5,000m, where Balew is also entered. Managing his physical reserves across three demanding track events therefore became an important part of his campaign.
Simmons also acknowledged the quality of the competition, conceding that there may have been little Gulveer could have done against an opponent capable of producing such a powerful finish. “It’s possible that there was nothing that could have been done. Birhanu might just have been too good,” he said.
Gulveer’s silver medal also adds to an already significant record on the international stage. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he became the first Indian man to win a medal in the 10,000m at the event, claiming silver in 27:49.78, before adding a bronze medal in the 5,000m.
Yet even after completing one of the most demanding races of his campaign, Gulveer’s attention quickly shifted to the next challenge. “I have to prepare for the 1,500m tomorrow,” he said after collecting his silver medal, underlining the relentless nature of his schedule.
Despite missing out on gold, Gulveer remained satisfied with what he had achieved. His objective before the race had been clear: to improve the colour of his medal. After previously winning silver at the Commonwealth Games, he had once again reached the second step of the podium, this time on the Asian Games stage.
“My target before today’s race was to change the colour of my medals. I’ve been able to do that,” Gulveer said.
His silver-medal finish is therefore not simply a reflection of the result on the scoreboard. It represents endurance, tactical maturity, discipline and the ability to compete at the highest level while managing the demands of an intense multi-event schedule. For India and the #IndianArmy, Gulveer Singh’s performance stands as another proud moment, while for the athlete himself, the medal marks another milestone in an international career built on persistence and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
