Rowers Satnam Singh and Salman Khan bagged India's only medal in the sculls event at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 amid selection controversy. The unlikely duo of Satnam and Salman scripted history as India's only medal winners in the men's double sculls event.
The Indian pair clocked 6:13.25 at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course. Satnam and Salman were in contention for a gold. Until the 1,500m mark, they were second, just behind the Chinese pair. However, they faltered and finished third behind Uzbekistan's Pavel Sorin and Mekhrojbek Mamatkulov who bagged a silver medal, finishing in 6:10.49. China's Yi Xudi and Yide Nie were slightly ahead as they clocked 6:09.37 to win the gold medal.
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Just one podium finish after 3 successful editions
Winning just one medal came as a disappointment after India rowing contingent secured two silver and three bronze medals at Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. In the 2010 edition at home, India won four medals including a gold. In the Jakarta Asian Games 2018, India won three medals featuring a gold.
Satnam on last-minute changes
This was Satnam's second bronze medal. He had won a bronze in the previous edition in the men's quadruple sculls. Satnam is proud of winning India's first ever Asian Games medal in the men's doubles category. However, he expressed his sadness as he was not able to row with his original partner. He had joined forces with Salman only five days before the race.
"I am sad about what happened with my partner (old partner). We had a chance for a better medal, but the decision has already been made and cannot be changed now," Satnam said after the bronze medal finish.
"We only came together in the men's double sculls five days ago. I feel proud that, after only five days together, we have managed to win an Asian Games medal in this event."
From Uber driver to the Army and Asian Games bronze
This was Salman's maiden Asian Games medal. He had humble beginnings as he had to put his plans of joining the Indian Army on hold and drove an Uber in Delhi after his father's death due to dengue. But, in 2018, he eventually joined the Army where he was advised by coaches Satyawan, Satish Siraat and Prabhat Mishra to take up the sport.
Salman went on to win a gold medal at 36th National Games in 2022. In the same year, he won a gold at the 5th Indoor National Championships as well. The medals continued and he represented India in World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne three years ago. Later in 2024, he won a gold medal in 37th National Games in Goa. He followed it up with a gold at Asian Rowing Cup in 2024 as well.
He went to Australia and won a silver medal in Rowing Championships in Tasmania. Then, he bagged a silver medal at Asian Rowing Championships that took place in Vietnam. In the same year, he struck gold at the 38th National Games and 42nd Senior National Rowing Championships.