"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
29 Jul 2026
Indian athletics celebrated a landmark moment at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Gulveer Singh stormed into the history books, becoming the first Indian ever to win a medal in the men's 10,000m. The long-distance runner produced a sensational performance to clinch the silver medal, ending decades of India's wait for a podium finish in one of athletics' toughest events.
Clocking 27:49.78, the national record holder finished behind Australia's Ky Robinson, who claimed gold, while David Mullarkey of the Isle of Man secured bronze. In a surprising twist, traditional distance-running giants Kenya and Uganda failed to make the podium, making Gulveer's achievement even more remarkable.
The race was anything but easy. With rain making conditions slippery and challenging, Gulveer displayed exceptional composure across the gruelling 25-lap contest. Rather than chasing the early leaders, he stayed tucked comfortably within the leading pack, conserving energy while carefully monitoring every move.
As the bell rang for the final lap, Gulveer sat in third position. Then came the moment that defined the race. The Indian unleashed a powerful finishing sprint that stunned his rivals. His explosive final burst carried him into second place, sealing a historic silver medal and delivering one of India's finest performances in long-distance running on the Commonwealth stage.
It was a race won not only with speed, but with intelligence, patience and perfect timing.
For decades, the men's 10,000m remained an elusive event for Indian athletics at the Commonwealth Games. While India has celebrated success in field events, sprints and weightlifting, a medal in this demanding endurance race had always remained beyond reach. Until now.
Gulveer's silver has broken that barrier, proving that Indian distance runners can challenge the very best in the world. The historic finish also adds another memorable chapter to India's growing success in global athletics, reflecting the country's steady rise on the international stage.
Gulveer's silver was one of several highlights for India on another successful day in Glasgow.
Weightlifter Harjinder Kaur added another silver medal to India's impressive tally. By the end of the day, India had climbed to 12 medals overall—2 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze—keeping the country firmly inside the top ten of the Commonwealth Games medal standings.
With athletes delivering breakthrough performances across disciplines, India's campaign in Glasgow is gathering momentum. And among the many memorable moments, Gulveer Singh's fearless final-lap charge will stand out as one of the defining images of the Games.