Gulveer Singh lived up to the expectations by winning gold in the men’s 10,000m final on the opening day of the Asian Athletics Championship in Gumi, South Korea on Tuesday.

Gulveer crossed the finish line in 28:38.63s to become only the third Indian man to win the 10,000m gold after Hari Chand (1975) and G Lakhsmanan (2017).

Gulveer along with fellow Indian Sawan Barwal, who finished fourth with a time of 28:50.53s, were part of the five-member pack led by Bahrain’s Kibichi Rop.

It was Gulveer’s all out effort in the final lap that brought home India’s first gold at the continental championship.

At the 2023 edition, Gulveer had finished fifth in the men’s 10,000m and won bronze in the 5,000m.

Japan’s Mebuki Suzuki (28:43.84s) and Bahrain’s Albert Kibichi Rop (28:46.82s) finished second and third, respectively.

Gulveer had already achieved the World Championships qualification in 5000m.

Bronze for Servin Sebastian

Earlier, Servin Sebastian opened India’s medals tally with a bronze medal in the men’s 20km race walk event.

The 25-year-old clocked 1:21:13.60s.

China’s Wang Zhaozhao (1:20:36.90s) and Japan’s Kento Yoshikawa (1:20:44.90s) took the gold and silver, respectively.

Amit, the other Indian in the field, finished fifth with a time of 1:22:14.30s.

In the women’s javelin throw, Annu Rani missed the podium by 0.64m, finishing fourth with an effort of 58.30m.

China’s Su Lingdan (63.29m), Japan’s Momone Ueda (59.39m) and Sae Takemoto (59.39m) made the podium.

More to follow…