Indian Runner Gulveer Singh Claims Silver in Intense 10,000m Race at Asian Games

Gulveer Singh secured a silver medal in the 10,000-metre event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, finishing just behind Bahrain's Birhanu Balew. For nearly the entire race, the pack stayed close together while Gulveer kept his position near the front of the group. As the bell rang for the final lap, Balew made a sudden move to take the lead, forcing a direct duel between the two athletes. Balew clocked a winning time of 28 minutes and 27.51 seconds, while Gulveer crossed the finish line at 28:29.38. After the race, the Indian runner fell to his knees to kiss the track before leaving the stadium. Coach Scott Simmons noted that a faster pace closer to 27 minutes might have given Gulveer a better chance against Balew, who is the Diamond League 5,000m champion and possesses exceptional finishing speed. Balew completed his final lap in 55 seconds compared to Gulveer's 57-second finish. Gulveer previously won a bronze medal in the 10,000m at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, having started competitive athletics in 2019. Since then, he has broken national records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events, and won medals at both the Asian Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He will return to the track on Saturday for the 1,500m heats, with the 5,000m event still ahead in his schedule.