Gulveer Singh created history at the Commonwealth Games by becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the men’s 10,000m event. Competing on a rain-hit track in Glasgow on Tuesday, the national record holder delivered a confident performance to secure a silver medal.
Gulveer’s achievement became India’s second silver medal in athletics at the Games after Sarvesh Kushare’s podium finish in the men’s high jump event.
The 28-year-old clocked an impressive 27:49.78 seconds to finish second, while Australia’s Ky Robinson claimed the gold medal with a timing of 27:48.93 seconds. Despite challenging conditions and heavy rain at Scotstoun Stadium, Gulveer remained composed throughout the race and produced a strong finishing burst in the final laps to seal his place on the podium.
Speaking after the race, the Asian champion said winning a medal made the difficult weather conditions irrelevant. He said that he had left everything in God’s hands before the race and prayed for divine support.
The Army athlete from Atrauli in Uttar Pradesh also shared that he had not informed his family about the race before competing. He said his family was probably asleep and that he would share the news with them later. Gulveer added that his focus has already shifted towards the upcoming 5km event and he hopes to continue receiving blessings and support.
Currently training in the United States under coach Scott Simmons, Gulveer executed a perfectly planned race against a strong field that included several top African runners. Among them was Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo, a 2023 World Championships medallist with a personal best of 26:57.80.
Despite continuous rain, Gulveer stayed close to the leading group throughout the race. In the closing stages, he made a decisive move and produced a powerful final sprint to overtake Isle of Man’s David Mullarkey and claim the silver medal.
Mullarkey finished third with a timing of 27:50.28 seconds. Gulveer’s historic silver also marked the first time since the 1986 Commonwealth Games that no African athlete finished on the podium in the men’s 10,000m event.
His achievement also brought back memories of Avinash Sable’s historic silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where he had ended Kenya’s long-standing dominance in the event.
