Gulveer celebrates his maiden worldwide gold.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
India’s finest observe athlete this season thus far, Gulveer Singh continued his spectacular efficiency with the nation’s first gold on the Asian Athletics Championships, profitable the ten,000m on the opening day of the competitors in Gumi, South Korea, on Tuesday.
Having missed the automated qualification for September’s World Championships by a mere 22 micro seconds, Gulveer had aimed to complete on prime and go beneath 27 minutes on the Asians however the sizzling situations meant he might solely handle one of many two. The outcome, nevertheless, can be helpful in bettering his world rating and possibilities to qualify for the Worlds. August 24 is the qualification closing date. Gulveer has already certified within the 5000m.
Gulveer clocked 28:38.63 with a robust dash within the closing lap to overhaul Bahrain’s Albert Rop and Mebuki Suzuki of Japan for the highest spot and his maiden worldwide gold. Apparently, this was slower than his Asian Video games bronze timing and much from his private better of 27:00.22 set in March in California. Sawan Barwal completed fourth in 28:50.53.
“No matter the time, the principle objective was to complete first. I’m joyful to efficiently implement my race technique. The gold will certainly enhance my world rating and possibilities to qualify for the World Championships. The truth is, regardless of the situations, I might have gone quicker if somebody had pushed me more durable as I wasn’t drained after the end,” Gulveer mentioned after the race.
Gulveer, who trains in Colorado, had mentioned the identical earlier than leaving for Gumi. “There are not any set targets as such, the intention is to solely do higher than what we do in coaching and enhance our personal efficiency. I attempted to push exhausting in Doha (Diamond League) additionally nevertheless it was too sizzling and if I had pushed more durable, I may not have completed the race solely so I pulled again,” he had mentioned right here.
Coaching with a few of the finest athletes has helped enhance his confidence as effectively. “Earlier, I used to maintain behind the Kenyans in coaching, now I attempt to go forward and step up and set the tempo. If others can do it, why not Indians, they’re additionally as human as us. We will and can do it, perhaps not instantly however undoubtedly.”
India’s medal haul started within the morning session with Servin Sebastian profitable bronze within the 20km race stroll. The 26-year-old clocked a private better of 1:21:13.90 for his maiden worldwide medal. Amit completed a creditable fourth.
Different Indians in motion additionally stayed in rivalry by advancing to the finals of their respective occasions — Yoonus Shah within the 1500m, Sarvesh Kushare in excessive bounce, T.Okay .Vishal within the 400m and Rupal Chaudhary and Vithya Ramraj within the ladies’s 400m. Nonetheless, Jay Kumar was positioned fourth to overlook out on the 400m semis and Annu Rani managed a finest throw of 58.30m to complete fourth in ladies’s javelin. Within the decathlon, Tejaswin Shankar was on prime with 4205 factors after 5 occasions.
Printed – Could 27, 2025 08:10 pm IST
