New Delhi: Gulveer Singh bagged India’s first gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships with a top podium spot in the men’s 10,000m race in Gumi, South Korea. Gulveer, the national record holder, 28m 38.63s, to open India’s gold medal account on the opening day of the continental event.
The 26-year-old Asian Games bronze-medallist holds the national record, set earlier in the year, by clocking 27:00.22. Japan’s Mebuki Suzuki (28:43.84) won the silver while Bahrain’s Albert Kibichi Rop (28:46.82) claimed bronze.
Athletics, Asian Athletics championships 2025: Take a bow, Gulveer Singh!!!
India gets its first gold at the 26th edition of Asian athletics championships in Gumi courtesy of a solid performance from arguably India’s best athlete this season, Gulveer, in men’s 10000m..
👏🇮🇳🥇 pic.twitter.com/RtEgVRjmD7
— Vishank Razdan (@VishankRazdan) May 27, 2025
Earlier, Servin Sebastian got India off the mark in the medals tally by bagging a bronze in the men’s 20km race walk event. The Indian athlete claimed the third spot after clocking 1 hour 21m and 13.60s.
China’s Wang Zhaozhao (1:20:36.90) clinched gold while Japan’s Kento Yoshikawa (1:20:44.90) claimed silver.
Sebastian’s timing was not far behind his personal best time of 1:21:23 sec, set earlier this year for a gold medal at the Uttarakhand National Games in February.
Amit, the other Indian in the fray, finished outside the top three at fifth with a time of 1:22:14.30.
Can India shine in the absence of “Golden Boy” Neeraj Chopra?
India has sent a 59-strong contingent for the event, aiming to better the haul of 27 medals won in the previous edition
India’s “Golden boy” Neeraj Chopra will be missing in action at the 26th edition of the tournament as he has decided to skip the biennial event to focus on the Diamond League series.
In his absence, Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem is favourite to win the men’s javelin throw competition.
The Indian challenge in the men’s javelin will be led by Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh.
In the women’s javelin throw event, Asian Games champion Annu Rani will lead the charge for India. The 32-year-old comes into the tournament after recording her season’s best of 58.82m in March in Mumbai, which is far below her personal best of 63.82 meters, achieved at the Indian Open in 2022. Her gold medal-winning throw at the 2023 Asian Games was 62.92 meters long.
National record holder Gulveer Singh opened India’s gold medal account by winning the men’s 10,000m race at the Asian Athletics in Gumi, South Korea. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
