How one simple instruction helped Gulveer Singh make CWG history for India
Long-distance runner Gulveer Singh revealed that a simple instruction from coach Scott Simmons helped him make history after becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games. With confidence in his race plan to perfection, the national record holder claimed a historic silver medal in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Gulveer clocked 27:49.8 to finish behind Australia’s Ky Robinson (27:48.93) at Scotstoun Stadium, while Isle of Man’s David Mullarkey claimed bronze. Speaking to reporters after the race, Gulveer said the race went exactly as his coach had planned, with one clear instruction dictating every move he made on the track.
CWG Day 5 Highlights
“My coach told me not to do anything special. He asked me to stay behind the leaders, keep the pace and then give it my all in the final 400m. The coach said that the medal will be decided by the speed in the closing stages, so I had to stay with the group and then make my move at the end.”
The strategy required immense patience against a quality field featuring several African runners and 2023 World Championships silver medalist Daniel Ebenyo. Instead of reacting to every onslaught, Gulveer stuck to Simmons’ plan before producing a perfectly timed finishing kick in the closing stages.
“My only strategy was to win a medal for the country. At one point, things got a little complicated because the tempo kept changing. But everything worked out in the end. It was all by the grace of God.”
Gulveer’s silver was India’s first-ever 10,000m medal at the Commonwealth Games and only India’s second after Kavita Raut won bronze in the women’s event at the 2010 Delhi Games.
HOW GULVEER SINGH WON CWG SILVER
The race itself was a lesson in discipline.
Gulveer soon established himself in the leading pack and stayed among the frontrunners for the opening 4000 meters before dropping to ninth place around the 5600 meter mark as the pace began to waver. Instead of abandoning the plan, he resisted the urge to chase every move, gradually climbing back into contention and staying within striking distance of the leaders heading into the final five laps.
With 1000 meters remaining, the Indian moved to the bronze medal before drawing level with Mullarkey. In line with Simmons’ pre-race instructions, Gulveer unleashed his strongest burst in the closing stages, overtaking the Isle of Man runner in the final 200 meters to secure silver, finishing less than a second behind Robinson.
The medal run was another example of the consistency Gulveer has shown since moving to the United States to train under Simmons in Colorado. Over the past two seasons, he has established himself as India’s premier distance runner, repeatedly breaking national records and performing brilliantly on the international stage.
HISTORY OF GULVEER SCRIPTS FOR INDIA
Apart from the silver medal, Gulveer’s performance was of historic significance for Indian athletics.
He became the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games 10,000m medal and also helped produce the first edition since the 1986 Games in which no African athlete finished in the top three. The achievement mirrored Avinash Sable’s silver medal in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, when the Indian ended Kenya’s dominance in another distance event.
Despite the historic feat, Gulveer said his thoughts after crossing the finish line were not about records or milestones, but about fulfilling his responsibility to the country.
“It feels really good. The Indian government and the sports ministry have supported us so much. It was always on my mind that I had to bring home a medal for India. It’s my first Commonwealth Games medal so it’s really special.”
The 26-year-old also dedicated the medal to the people who stood by him throughout his journey.
“I would dedicate this medal to my family. I especially think of my mother a lot. My mother, father, brother – my whole family has always been there for me. But most of all, this medal is for the country because we are competing for India.”
Gulveer’s silver took India’s athletics tally to two silver medals in Glasgow after Sarvesh Kushar’s second place finish in the men’s high jump. Meanwhile, women’s national record holder Pooja bowed out of the high jump competition after clearing 1.77m before failing to clear 1.82m in three attempts.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
29 Jul 2026 08:28 IST