Gulveer Singh Shines Bright at Commonwealth Games
Gulveer Singh remained calm amidst the chaos. On a rainy Tuesday evening at Scotstoun Stadium, heavy rain paused the women’s high jump event and caught several runners off guard. However, instead of using these conditions as an excuse, the 27-year-old Naib Subedar from Uttar Pradesh made history by becoming the first Indian man to earn a medal in the men’s 10,000 meters at the Commonwealth Games. He finished with an impressive time of 27:49.79, just shy of Australia’s Ky Robinson. David Mullarkey from the Isle of Man secured the bronze with a time of 27:50.28. Notably, this was the first time in Commonwealth Games history that no African runner stood on the podium for this event.
Gulveer’s Journey to the Podium
There’s a saying in distance running: keep going, stay strong, and finish strong. Gulveer had heard this advice before but struggled to apply it during his debut at last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, where he finished ninth in his heat, falling short of expectations.
However, his performance in Glasgow was markedly different. He started strong, keeping pace with the leaders for the first 4,000 meters. But as the race progressed and the weather worsened, he found himself dropping to ninth place by 5,500 meters. Instead of panicking, he focused on maintaining his energy and waited for the right moment.
As the race approached the final stretch, Gulveer made his move, advancing from ninth to fifth place. By the time the bell rang, he was fighting for a podium finish. He pushed past Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat and made a last-minute surge towards Robinson, finishing just a fraction of a second behind the leader.
“My only goal was to win a medal,” Gulveer shared after the race. His coach encouraged him to conserve energy early on and focus on his strong finishing speed, a strategy that clearly paid off.
A Medal for the Country
Gulveer was modest about his achievement. “It feels good, but right now I’m happy because I’ve won a medal for my country. Personal achievements can wait,” he said, highlighting the pride he felt representing India.
This year has been exceptional for Gulveer. He set a new national half marathon record in New York and achieved personal bests in the 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters. His commitment to training at a high-altitude center in Colorado Springs, alongside American coach Scott Simmons, has evidently contributed to his success.
Originally from Sirsa village in Aligarh, Gulveer’s running journey began on local paths, with the hope of joining the Army. He became part of the Grenadiers Regiment in 2018 and has since made remarkable achievements, including earning medals in various championships across Asia.
He currently holds multiple national records, including those for the 5,000 meters and the half marathon. In 2025, he became the first Indian to complete a mile in under four minutes.
Gulveer’s Commonwealth Games medal marks a significant achievement, positioning him alongside Kavita Raut, the only other Indian to earn a 10,000-meter medal, with her bronze in Delhi 2010. His disciplined approach during the race showcases his determination, hinting that this may just be the beginning of his journey.
Looking Ahead
As Gulveer continues on this impressive path, it’s clear that he is not just satisfied with one medal. His disciplined approach and drive suggest that more successes lie ahead for him as he aims to elevate Indian distance running on the world stage.
