Gulveer Singh wins third medal at 2026 Asian Games, clinches bronze in men's 5000m
Gulveer Singh makes history at the 2026 Asian Games by winning bronze in the 5000m, becoming the first Indian man to secure three individual medals.
Indian middle-distance sensation Gulveer Singh has etched his name into the history books at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. On Tuesday, Singh secured a bronze medal in the men's 5000m event, marking a historic milestone for Indian athletics.
With this podium finish, Gulveer has become the first Indian man to win three individual medals at a single edition of the Asian Games. His incredible performance in the 5000m race adds to a stellar campaign that has seen him dominate the track throughout the continental event.
A Thrilling Race in Aichi-Nagoya
The men's 5000m final was a tightly contested battle of endurance and speed. Gulveer Singh clocked a time of 13:32.75 to secure the third spot on the podium. The competition was fierce, with Bahrain's Birhanu Balew taking the gold in 13:30.79, and Japan's Tomonori Yamaguchi claiming the silver with a time of 13:31.43.
Gulveer's hat-trick of medals follows his earlier spectacular performances earlier in the Games, where he earned silver medals in both the men's 10,000m and 1500m events. His consistency has established him as one of India's most standout performers in the athletics arena this year.
A Golden Day for India
Gulveer’s bronze was part of a highly successful Tuesday for the Indian contingent, contributing to the nation's growing medal tally. The day was highlighted by a historic feat in the shooting range by Neeru Dhanda.
- Neeru Dhanda's Historic Gold: Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win an individual medal in the women's trap event at the Asian Games. She delivered a masterclass performance, scoring 28/30 to defeat China's Sun Yunong (26/30) and secure the gold.
- Women's Trap Team Success: The Indian trio of Neeru Dhanda, Aashima Ahlawat, and Manisha Keer also earned a silver medal in the team event with a total score of 328 points, finishing just ahead of Kuwait.
- Judo Bronze: In the combat sports arena, Narender Berwal secured his second consecutive Asian Games bronze medal in the men's +90kg category after a hard-fought semifinal against Kazakhstan's Aibek Oralbay.
While Avinash Sable was originally scheduled to compete in the 5000m event, he did not participate, leaving the stage open for Gulveer Singh to deliver a performance that will be remembered for years to come.