Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated long-distance runner Gulveer Singh after he created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the men’s 10,000m event at the Commonwealth Games, clinching a silver medal with a stunning final-lap surge in Glasgow.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister praised Gulveer’s determination and achievement.
“Gulveer shines in Glasgow! Congrats to him for winning a Silver in the Men’s 10,000m event. His commitment and dedication are commendable. All the best to him for the endeavours ahead,” PM Modi said.
The 28-year-old Indian clocked 27:49.78 to finish second behind Australia’s Ky Robinson, who won the gold medal in 27:48.93. David Mullarkey of the Isle of Man claimed the bronze in 27:50.28, while Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in 27:50.98.
With the performance, Gulveer ended India’s long wait for a medal in one of the Commonwealth Games’ most demanding track events, becoming the first Indian to stand on the podium in the men’s 10,000m.
Competing in rainy conditions, Gulveer adopted a patient and tactical approach throughout the race. He remained with the leading pack in the early stages before dropping as low as ninth place after the 5,600m mark when the pace intensified.
The Indian distance runner steadily worked his way back into contention during the closing stages, moving into third position at the bell before producing a blistering finishing kick over the final lap to overtake one rival and secure the historic silver medal.
Although the timing was well outside his personal best and national record of 27:00.22, set in 2025, the tactical race showcased Gulveer’s maturity and finishing speed against a world-class field.
The silver medal adds another major achievement to Gulveer’s rapidly growing international resume. He had announced himself on the continental stage by winning a bronze medal in the 5,000m at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships before claiming bronze in the 10,000m at the 2022 Asian Games.
In 2025, Gulveer established himself as Asia’s leading long-distance runner by winning double gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea.
A serving Naib Subedar in the Grenadiers Regiment of the Indian Army, Gulveer hails from Sirsa village in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district. He began running on village roads and farmland trails while preparing for recruitment into the Army before rising to become one of India’s finest distance runners.
Today, he holds the Indian national records in the 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m, cementing his status as the country’s premier long-distance athlete.
Gulveer’s silver was India’s second silver medal of the day after weightlifter Harjinder Kaur finished runner-up in the women’s 69kg event with a career-best total lift of 227kg.
With Gulveer’s podium finish, India’s medal tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games rose to 12 medals—two gold, seven silver and three bronze.
(With agency inputs)
