How one simple instruction helped Gulveer Singh script CWG history for India
Long-distance runner Gulveer Singh revealed that a simple instruction from coach Scott Simmons helped him script history after becoming the first Indian man to win a medal in the 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games. Trusting the race plan to perfection, the national record holder clinched 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 David Mullarkey of the Isle of Man claimed bronze. Speaking to reporters after the race, Gulveer said the race had unfolded exactly the way his coach had planned it, with one clear instruction dictating every move he made on the track.
“My coach told me not to do anything special. He asked me to stay behind the leaders, follow the pace and then give everything in the final 400 metres. The coach said the medal would be decided by speed in the closing stages, so I had to stay with the group and then make my move at the end.”
The strategy demanded immense patience against a quality field featuring multiple African runners and 2023 World Championships silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo. Rather than responding to every surge, Gulveer stuck to Simmons’ blueprint 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 became a little difficult because the pace kept changing. But everything worked out in the end. It was all by God’s grace.”
Gulveer’s silver was India’s first-ever medal in the men’s 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games and only the second by an Indian in the event after Kavita Raut won bronze in the women’s race at the 2010 Delhi Games.
HOW GULVEER SINGH WON THE CWG SILVER
The race itself was a lesson in discipline.
Gulveer settled into the leading pack early and stayed among the front-runners through the opening 4,000 metres before slipping to ninth around the 5,600m mark as the pace began to fluctuate. Instead of abandoning the plan, he resisted the urge to chase every move, gradually climbed back into contention and remained within touching distance of the leaders heading into the final five laps.
With 1,000 metres remaining, the Indian moved into bronze-medal position before drawing level with Mullarkey. True to Simmons’ pre-race instructions, Gulveer unleashed his strongest burst in the closing stages, surging past the Isle of Man runner in the final 200 metres to secure silver, finishing less than a second behind Robinson.
The medal-winning run was another example of the consistency Gulveer has shown since moving to the United States to train under Simmons in Colorado. Over the last two seasons, he has established himself as India’s leading distance runner, repeatedly lowering national records and delivering strong performances on the international stage.
GULVEER SCRIPTS HISTORY FOR INDIA
Beyond the silver medal, Gulveer’s performance carried historical significance for Indian athletics.
He became the first Indian man to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the 10,000m, while also helping produce the first edition since the 1986 Games in which no African athlete finished among the top three in the event. The achievement echoed 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 discipline.
Despite the historic feat, Gulveer said his thoughts after crossing the finish line were not about records or milestones, but about fulfilling his responsibility towards the country.
“It feels really good. The Indian government and the Sports Ministry have supported us so much. That was always in my mind, that I had to bring home a medal for India. This is my first Commonwealth Games medal, so it feels really special.”
The 26-year-old also dedicated the medal to the people who had 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 entire family has always been there for me. But above all, this medal is for the country because we compete for India.”
Gulveer’s silver took India’s athletics tally in Glasgow to two silver medals after Sarvesh Kushare’s runner-up 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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