India marked a significant milestone in its athletics history as Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh of the Indian Army delivered an extraordinary performance at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships, taking place at Gumi Stadium from May 27 to 31. This year’s championship stood out as the largest edition ever, featuring athletes from 43 countries.
Gulveer Singh triumphed in both the 10,000m and 5,000m events, claiming gold medals in each. His performance in the 10,000m was impressive, as he clocked a time of 28:38.64. However, it was his record-breaking run in the 5,000m that captured headlines, where he set a new Asian record with an astonishing time of 13:24.78. This achievement not only surpassed the previous record of 13:29.53, held by Bahrain’s Albert Rop since 2015, but it also underscored the exceptional talent emerging from the region.
Gulveer’s 2025 season has been remarkable, commencing with a historic achievement in the United States, where he became the first Asian to break the 13-minute barrier in a short-track 5,000m event, clocking in at 12:59.77. His training regimen, facilitated by the Indian Army’s Mission Olympics Wing, encompassed rigorous high-altitude training in Ooty paired with advanced coaching techniques in Colorado Springs. This support exemplifies the Army’s commitment to fostering elite athletes.
The championships also showcased outstanding performances from other Indian Army athletes, including Subedar Avinash Sable and Recruit Naib Subedar Rupal Chaudhary, bolstering India’s overall medal tally. The Mission Olympics Wing currently supports more than 450 athletes across 11 disciplines, reflecting the nation’s ambitions on the global sports stage.
Gulveer Singh’s remarkable achievements not only reinforce his position in the annals of Asian athletics but also herald a new era for Indian distance running—one characterized by rigorous discipline, scientific training methods, and robust institutional support.
