In a moment of pride for the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Nagendra Singh, General Officer Commanding of the Chetak Corps, honored Rifleman Ujjwal Kumar Singh for his exceptional achievements at the Australian Rowing Championship 2025. The felicitation ceremony took place at the Chetak Corps headquarters and celebrated Ujjwal’s impressive performance, which included two gold medals in the Lightweight Double Skull and Eight-Seater events, as well as a silver medal in the Quad Skull event. This recognition marks a significant achievement, not just for Ujjwal but also for the Indian Army’s sports initiatives.
Ujjwal’s remarkable success on an international platform highlights the Indian Army’s dedication to cultivating sporting talent. Programs such as Mission Olympics, initiated in 2001, aim to train athletes for major events, including the Olympics. Central to these efforts is the Army Rowing Node in Pune, where Ujjwal refined his skills through access to world-class training facilities and expert coaching. Currently, the Indian Army supports over 450 athletes across 11 different sports, with rowing being a major focus area under the auspices of the Army Sports Institute and other specialized training centers.
During the felicitation, Lieutenant General Nagendra Singh praised Ujjwal for his determination, hard work, and commitment, calling him an exemplary figure for aspiring athletes. “Ujjwal’s achievements are a source of inspiration for all. His success reflects the disciplined training environment and unwavering support provided by the Indian Army to its athletes,” he remarked. The Chetak Corps, based in Bathinda, plays a vital role in nurturing sports talent, contributing to the Army’s broader objective of achieving excellence across various sporting arenas.
Ujjwal’s victories enhance the Indian Army’s legacy in athletics, particularly as it looks to build on its successes in events like the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Nevertheless, rowing remains a competitive and challenging field for India on the world stage. Ujjwal, in tandem with his teammate Arvind Singh, previously competed in the lightweight double sculls at the 2024 Olympic qualifiers but narrowly missed qualification, finishing in the third position. His recent success in Australia marks a hopeful turn for Indian rowing, suggesting the potential for greater representation in future international contests, including the Olympics.
The Mission Olympics program continues to be a cornerstone in identifying and nurturing athletic talent within the army, with advanced facilities like the Army Rowing Node at the College of Military Engineering (CME) in Pune bolstering these efforts. This initiative has already yielded commendable results, as evidenced by the participation of 16 soldiers representing India at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Ujjwal’s accomplishments not only exemplify the Army’s commitment to fusing military discipline with sporting excellence but also signify a promising future for India in the realm of competitive rowing on the global stage.
