Gulveer Singh becomes first Indian to win silver medal in men's 10,000m race in CWG history

Gulveer Singh on July 28 scripted history in Glasgow by becoming India's first male athlete to win a medal in the 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games. At the Scotstoun Stadium, Gulveer won the silver medal by clocking 27:49.8 seconds. Gulveer finished second in the race in unfavourable conditions as the heavy rain led to a wet track.

Before Gulveer, India's only track medal came in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Kavita Raut won a bronze medal in women's 10,000m race.

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Gulveer was beaten to gold by Australia's Ky Robinson who finished the race in 27:48.93s. The bronze medal was bagged by Isle of Men's David Mullarkey. who finished the race in 27:50.28 seconds.

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How the race went for Gulveer?

He was among the race leaders in the first half of the race. At 4,000m mark, he was third. At the halfway stage, he found himself at the sixth position. In the next couple of 1,000 metres, he moved to fifth position. At the 8,000m mark, he was sixth. With 1,000m remaining, he found himself in fourth position. He saved his best for the last, finishing second, only 0.85 seconds shy of the gold medal winner.

What Gulveer said after silver medal at CWG?

While the conditions were tough, Gulveer had only one thing in mind – to win a medal.

“It was raining continuously, but all I had in my mind was one thing, I had to win a medal. The government and our association have invested so much in us, and I wanted to return with a medal,” he told the media after the event.

Gulveer's coach, Scott Simmons, lauded Gulveer and touted him for big things.

"Gulveer is competitive on the world stage. I think this is just the beginning," Simmons told myKhel. 

Gulveer’s earlier achievements

Earlier, Gulveer had won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022. The Indian Army runner's personal best time in 10,000m races is 27:00:22 seconds.

Last year, in Asian Championships, the long-distance runner bagged a gold medal each in 10,000m and 5,000m race. In Asian Championships 2023, he won a bronze medal in 5,000m.