India's Navy man and ex‑Uber driver clinch historic rowing bronze at Asian Games

UPDATE - follow-up to Asian Games: How a former Uber driver and Navy man teamed up for India's rowing medal: On Thursday, Satnam Singh and Salman Khan captured bronze in the men’s double sculls at the Nagoya rowing venue, delivering India’s first rowing medal of these Games and its inaugural podium finish in the event. The pair, both six‑footers, had only five days to gel after their original quadruple‑sculls crew – which included Balraj Singh and Jakhar Khan – was dismantled five days before the race. They described the sudden change as devastating, saying they could not eat or sleep and were in tears. Despite the setback, Satnam, a Navy sailor, said they competed to honour the nation’s trust and the investment made in them. Salman, formerly an Uber driver from Amethi who joined the Army in 2018 after a friend’s suggestion, recalled his coach’s rallying cry, “Salman aisa chappu maro ki nadi ka paani bahar aa jaye.” The duo relied on six months of joint training, a tailwind and lighter weight to stay competitive against seasoned Chinese and Uzbek crews. With 200 metres left, they pushed harder, chanting “jor se mar” to each other. They crossed the finish line exhausted, needing assistance to walk after two kilometres under the sun, and embraced while crying, not only for their own triumph but for teammates Balraj and Jakhar who missed the podium. Salman noted the medal could open a DSP job in Uttar Pradesh, while Satnam smiled, saying his spirit felt “outside the body.”