For elite athlete Priyanka, a cupboard full of shimmering medals – including a historic Commonwealth Games silver – is not merely a collection of trophies. It is the physical manifestation of a lifetime carved out of grit, sweat, and relentless perseverance. When the news of her selection for the prestigious Arjuna Award reached her, it triggered a wave of emotion. Sitting down for an exclusive interview, Priyanka reflected on what the honour truly represents.

“This is not an award for me,” she shared, her voice carrying the weight of past hardships. “This is the whole journey of my life in sports, in which I have seen ups and downs. I have struggled a lot in my life. So, I remember all that in a moment, that finally my perseverance has paid off, and I have got the award for that hard work today.”

Her ascent to national prominence is a testament to the famous line – It takes a village to raise a champion. While she acknowledges the invaluable foundation laid by her parents and family, she also points to the pivotal turning point of 2020. That was the year she began a specialized training regimen that culminated in 2021 when she shattered the national record and qualified for the Olympics with a stellar time of 1 hour 28 minutes and 5 seconds. Ask her how she plans to organize her accolades – placing her Commonwealth silver alongside state honours like the Rani Lakshmi Bhai Award – and she insists the CWG medal itself will always sit proudly at the very top, for it was the catalyst that changed her life forever.

Priyanka’s story, however, did not begin on an international track. It started locally in Meerut; a city steeped in a rich sports culture. In her early days, she competed in a modest 3-kilometer race, entirely unaware of what senior-level distances like 20 kilometres or marathons entailed. Her prize for that district-level race? A simple travelling bag. Today, she still keeps that first souvenir at home, a humble reminder of where it all started, long before she transitioned permanently into race walking and secured a Youth National silver medal just five months later.

Yet, stepping into elite international fields brought entirely new challenges. Training under legendary Olympic medallist Ronald Weigel transformed her technical approach, guiding her to strong finishes at World Championships in Tokyo and Brazil. Weigel also taught her a crucial mental skill: blocking out the volatile noise of social media and public criticism.

“In our country, it happens a lot. Athletes are promoted and eliminated very quickly,” Priyanka noted, drawing on observations from international peers like World Champion, Olympic medallist and Commonwealth gold medallist Evan Dunfee, who also experienced the ebbs and flows of athletic performance. Under Weigel’s guidance, she learned to look past the media cycles, manage pre-event pressure, and stay anchored entirely to her training.

That mental fortitude has been tested in gruelling conditions, from the extreme humidity and heat of Tokyo, where simply crossing the finish line felt like an act of survival amid a sea of struggling competitors, to her transition toward the demanding Marathon Race Walking circuit. Logging staggering off-season training loads of up to 180 kilometres per week, Priyanka is now setting her sights on future continental and global multi-sport games, preparing her body and mind to endure the punishing demands of long-distance pacing.

Reflecting on the broader landscape of Indian sports, Priyanka is candid about the structural hurdles. She believes strongly that youth athletics should be prioritized much earlier in schools, pointing out that foreign competitors often begin training a decade earlier than many Indian athletes. While government initiatives like Khelo India and district-level improvements under leaders like the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh are steadily transforming the ecosystem by offering better infrastructure, nutrition support, and job opportunities, she believes personal resilience remains the ultimate differentiator.

For the next generation looking at her journey, Priyanka offers a grounded, honest perspective. Race walking is not for the faint hearted; it demands immense physical and mental suffering. She does not sugarcoat the struggle, choosing instead to welcome those genuinely inspired by her path to step forward, lace up their shoes, and commit to the grind.

As she looks ahead to the podiums of upcoming international championships, Priyanka remains delightfully hungry for more. The medals may pile up, but for the girl who started with a simple district prize bag, the heartbeat of her journey remains unchanged: one step, one kilometre, and one relentless stride at a time.

India’s Gulveer Singh continued his outstanding campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026, clinching the bronze medal in the men’s 5,000m to add a second podium finish to his name after winning silver in the 10,000m earlier in the championships.

Gulveer produced a determined performance in a fiercely contested race, clocking 13:24.95s to finish third. The Indian distance runner displayed remarkable composure and tactical awareness before unleashing a sensational sprint over the final 50 metres, securing his place on the podium in dramatic fashion.

The race was decided by the narrowest of margins. Matthew Kipchumba of Kenya claimed the gold medal in 13:23.61, while Australia’s Ky Robinson took silver with 13:24.70. Gulveer crossed the finish line just 0.25 seconds behind the silver medallist, underlining the highly competitive nature of the final.

Medal Winners – Men’s 5,000m

The bronze medal caps a memorable Commonwealth Games campaign for Gulveer, who has now reached the podium in both distance events he contested. Earlier in the championships, he secured the silver medal in the men’s 10,000m, showcasing his endurance and consistency over two demanding races.

Winning medals in both the 10,000m and 5,000m is a significant achievement at a major international championship, highlighting Gulveer’s versatility across long-distance events. His performances throughout the Games have established him as one of India’s leading distance runners and demonstrated his ability to compete against some of the strongest athletes in the Commonwealth.

With a silver in the 10,000m and a bronze in the 5,000m, Gulveer Singh concludes the Commonwealth Games 2026 with two medals, making him one of India’s standout performers in athletics at the championships.

The women’s 3000m steeplechase final delivered high drama on the track, culminating in a dominant gold-medal display by Kenya’s Faith Cherotich in a new Games Record (9:01.76), a surging silver for England’s Elise Thorner in a personal best (9:05.45), and bronze for Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai (9:09.96). Meanwhile, India’s medal hopeful Parul Chaudhary (9:27.75) suffered a disappointing outing, finishing fifth after being unable to match the scorching pace when the leaders broke free. Parul’s personal best is 9:12.46.

From the gun, the race unfolded at a blistering tempo. Chemutai, eager to stamp her authority on the field, pushed early alongside Cherotich. The two East African powerhouses streaked away as the laps ticked down, forcing the rest of the field into a gruelling pursuit. Cherotich, displaying trademark composure and flawless barrier clearance, measured her effort to perfection. As the bell rang for the final lap, Cherotich unleashed a devastating turn of foot, pulling clear of Chemutai to cross the line in a magnificent Games Record time and capture Commonwealth gold.

Behind the lead duel, the battle for silver provided one of the evening’s most thrilling narratives. England’s Elise Thorner mounted a tremendous, heart-pounding chase. Pushing through the pain barrier over the final water jump, Thorner steadily ate into the gap separating her from the frontrunners. With a remarkable late surge down the home straight, she overhauled a tiring Chemutai to snatch a brilliant silver medal in a brand-new Personal Best, leaving the Ugandan star with bronze. Thorner’s fearless tactical execution earned her a well-deserved spot on the podium alongside two of global steeplechasing’s finest.

For India’s Parul Chaudhary, however, the race ended in frustration. Entering the event with genuine podium aspirations, Chaudhary positioned herself within striking distance during the opening kilometres. But when Cherotich and Chemutai injected a fierce acceleration to break the field open, the Indian record holder simply couldn’t find the extra gear required to give chase.

As the frontrunners pulled out of reach, Chaudhary drifted into the middle group, struggling to maintain her rhythm over the barriers. Despite a gritty effort down the home stretch, she was unable to reel in the leaders or challenge the medal spots, ultimately crossing the line in fifth place. It was a disappointing outcome for the Indian runner, underlining the unforgiving nature of championship distance racing when top-tier athletes dictate a relentless tempo from the front.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Cherotich, whose record-breaking performance reaffirmed her standing at the pinnacle of the event. Combined with Thorner’s lifetime-best pursuit and Chemutai’s grit, the final produced a memorable showcase even if it proved a tough pill to swallow for Chaudhary.

India woke up to a landmark moment in athletics as Gulveer Singh produced the performance of his career to win a historic silver medal in the men’s 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.

Clocking 27:49.78 on a rain-soaked track, the 28-year-old became the first Indian ever to win a medal in the men’s 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games, breaking new ground for Indian distance running.

The race was decided by the finest of margins. Australia’s Ky Robinson claimed gold in 27:48.93, just 0.85 seconds ahead of Gulveer, while England’s David Mullarkey secured bronze in 27:50.28.

Men’s 10,000m Results

Speaking after the race exclusively to nnissports, Gulveer summed up his approach simply:

“My only strategy was to win a medal for the country today.”

Despite relentless rain and difficult conditions, Gulveer executed a near-perfect tactical race. He stayed tucked into the lead group for much of the contest, conserving energy before unleashing a powerful finish over the closing laps.

His splits tell the story of a race that accelerated dramatically in the second half.

Gulveer Singh’s Splits

The numbers underline just how strong Gulveer was when the race came alive. After an opening half run at a controlled pace, he covered the second 5,000m over 42 seconds faster, producing one of the quickest closing sequences of the field to secure the silver medal.

More Than Just India’s First Medal

Gulveer’s achievement carries significance beyond becoming India’s first Commonwealth Games medallist in the men’s 10,000m.

For the first time in recent Commonwealth Games history, no African athlete finished on the podium in the men’s 10,000m. East African runners have long dominated distance events at the Games, making Gulveer’s breakthrough even more remarkable. His medal not only rewrites India’s record books but also breaks a long-standing psychological barrier in one of athletics’ toughest disciplines.

The result is another milestone in Gulveer’s rapid rise as India’s leading distance runner and reinforces the growing strength of Indian endurance running on the global stage.

Gulveer’s Commonwealth Games journey is far from over.

The Indian star will return to the track later in the Games for the men’s 5,000m, where he will look to build on his historic success and chase another medal for India.

After ending India’s long wait for a medal in the men’s 10,000m, confidence will be high that Glasgow could have another memorable chapter left to write.

If you’d like this in a more analytical style (with race tactics, pacing, and historical context) suitable for a sports website like The Hindu or Sportstar, I can also rewrite it in that format.

 

India’s Gulveer Singh will carry the nation’s hopes in the men’s 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games 2026, arriving in Glasgow after a sensational season that has established him among the leading contenders in the event.

Gulveer has enjoyed the finest season of his career, clocking an outstanding 27:24.18, a performance that currently ranks fifth among Commonwealth athletes this season. More importantly, among athletes officially selected for the Commonwealth Games, his mark is the third-fastest season’s best, making him one of the strongest medal prospects in the field.

The Commonwealth rankings are led by Australia’s Ky Robinson, who has produced a world-class 26:57.07 this season. Great Britain’s Scott Beattie follows with 27:23.20, just under a second quicker than Gulveer’s impressive performance. The Indian distance runner’s 27:24.18 places him firmly among the leading contenders heading into the Games.

The field also includes experienced East African athletes such as Edwin Kurgat of Kenya, whose season’s best stands at 28:29.05, while compatriot Ishmael Rokitto and Uganda’s Herbert Kibet are also part of their respective Commonwealth Games squads despite not having raced the 10,000m this season.

Gulveer’s remarkable progress in 2026 has transformed him into one of India’s premier distance runners. His ability to produce a world-class performance over 10,000m reflects the consistency and endurance required to compete against some of the strongest athletes in the Commonwealth.

With only two selected athletes entering the Games with faster season’s bests, Gulveer will travel to Glasgow with genuine expectations of challenging for a podium finish. His outstanding form, combined with the confidence gained from a breakthrough campaign, makes him one of India’s brightest medal hopes in distance running.

As the Commonwealth Games approach, Gulveer Singh stands poised to test himself against the very best in the field. If he can reproduce the form that saw him clock 27:24.18, the Indian star will have every opportunity to contend for a medal on one of athletics’ biggest stages.

For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s Shivaji Parashuram continued his outstanding campaign at the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 by winning the silver medal in the men’s 10,000m in Ordos, China, securing his second silver medal of the championships.

Shivaji produced a determined performance over the 25-lap race, clocking a lifetime best of 29:33.54s to finish second. The Indian distance runner remained among the leading pack throughout the race and finished strongly to achieve a new personal best while adding another medal to India’s tally.

The gold medal was claimed by Japan’s Yoshihiro Kusuoki, who crossed the finish line in 29:29.34s after edging out Shivaji in a closely contested race. China’s Jinzhi Jiang secured the bronze medal with a time of 29:42.54s, completing the podium.

The silver medal adds to an already memorable championship for Shivaji, who had earlier finished runner-up in the men’s 5000m on the opening day. By claiming silver medals in both distance events, he has emerged as one of India’s standout performers at the inaugural edition of the championships.

His latest performance was made even more impressive by the fact that he achieved a new lifetime best, reflecting his excellent form and continued progression at the continental level. Producing a personal best in a championship final underlines his ability to perform under pressure against Asia’s leading U23 distance runners.

The Asian U23 Athletics Championships have provided an important platform for emerging athletes to showcase their talent, and Shivaji has made the most of the opportunity with two exceptional performances. His consistency across both the 5,000m and 10,000m demonstrates his endurance and competitiveness over multiple distances.

With two silver medals now to his name, Shivaji Parashuram has established himself as one of India’s brightest young distance-running prospects. His impressive campaign in Ordos has not only strengthened India’s medal tally but also highlighted the country’s growing depth in long-distance athletics at the U23 level.

India made a promising start at the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 by winning two medals in the men’s 5000m, opening its medal account at the continental event in Ordos, China.

Leading the Indian challenge was Shivaji Parashuram, who produced a determined performance to claim the silver medal in a time of 14:08.19. Running confidently throughout the race, Shivaji stayed among the front-runners and finished strongly to secure India’s first medal of the championships.

Joining him on the podium was compatriot Vinod Singh, who earned the bronze medal after crossing the finish line in 14:23.67. His composed effort ensured a memorable double podium finish for India in the event, giving the country two medals in the opening stages of the competition.

The gold medal was won by Japan’s Rui Suzuki, who produced the fastest performance of the race, clocking 14:01.24 to take the title.

The silver and bronze medals hold added significance as they are India’s first-ever medals at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships, which is being held for the first time. The achievement marks a historic milestone for Indian athletics at the debut edition of the continental competition and provides an encouraging start to the campaign.

Distance running has consistently been one of India’s stronger disciplines at age-group competitions, and the performances of Shivaji Parashuram and Vinod Singh continued that tradition on the Asian stage. Their medals reflect the depth of India’s emerging talent and provide a positive foundation for the remainder of the championships.

With the medal account now open, the Indian contingent will look to build on this momentum in the events to come. The historic double podium finish in the men’s 5000m has given India an ideal start to the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships and will serve as a confidence boost for the rest of the team as they continue their quest for more medals in Ordos.

Asian Championships medallist Servin Sebastian emerged victorious in the men’s half marathon race walk at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, clocking 1:31:49 to secure the national title in challenging weather conditions.

Representing one of India’s brightest hopes in race walking, Servin held off a strong challenge from Sachin Bora, who finished second in 1:32:10, while Ningthoukhongja completed the podium with a time of 1:32:24.

Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk Results

🥇 Servin Sebastian – 1:31:49
🥈 Sachin Bora – 1:32:10
🥉 Ningthoukhongja – 1:32:24

The race was conducted under demanding conditions, with humidity levels hovering around 92 percent and temperatures remaining high throughout the morning. Such conditions made it difficult for athletes to maintain pace, particularly in an endurance discipline as physically taxing as race walking.

While none of the athletes managed to achieve the Asian Games qualification standard, the quality of competition remained high, with the leading trio separated by less than a minute.

Servin’s victory further cements his status as one of the country’s leading race walkers. The Kerala athlete enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025 when he won bronze at the Asian Race Walking Championships, becoming one of the few Indian men to secure a continental medal in the discipline. The performance established him as a serious contender for major international championships and strengthened India’s growing reputation in race walking.

Although the Asian Games qualification standard remained out of reach in Bhubaneswar, sources indicate that the top two finishers—Servin Sebastian and Sachin Bora—could still come under consideration for selection, given their credentials and previous performances.

However, qualification standards are only one part of the selection process. The final composition of the Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games will be decided by the Athletics Federation of India’s Selection Committee, which will assess performances across the qualification period before naming the squad.

India’s premier long-distance runner Gulveer Singh may have missed the Asian Games qualification standard at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, but his hopes of representing the country in Aichi-Nagoya 2026 are far from over.

The national record holder won the men’s 5000m title in 13:52.92, comfortably securing gold but falling short of the Athletics Federation of India’s prescribed qualification mark of 13:39.18.

The result came as one of the biggest surprises of the championships, given Gulveer’s outstanding form earlier this season. In February, he rewrote the Indian record books by clocking a stunning 13:03.93, a performance that currently stands as the second-fastest time by an Asian athlete this year and ranks among the world’s top 20 performances in 2026.

With such credentials, questions immediately emerged over whether the 26-year-old could still make the Indian squad despite not achieving the qualification standard at the designated selection event.

According to AFI officials, the final Asian Games team will be determined by the federation’s selection committee, meaning the qualification mark is not necessarily the only factor that will be considered.

That leaves the door open for Gulveer, whose performances throughout the season have established him as India’s leading 5000m runner and one of Asia’s strongest contenders in the event.

Speaking after the race, Gulveer pointed to the challenging conditions in Bhubaneswar as a major factor behind his failure to achieve the standard.

“The weather was quite warm and the track is still new,” he said, explaining that both factors made it difficult to chase a fast time.

While the missed mark is undoubtedly a setback, Gulveer’s season-best remains significantly faster than the qualification standard and strengthens his case ahead of the final selection meeting.

For now, the ball is firmly in the selectors’ court. Gulveer has not secured automatic qualification, but based on his performances this season, he remains one of the strongest candidates to wear Indian colours in the men’s 5000m at the Asian Games 2026.

By Sundeep Misra

Whenever Gulveer Singh runs and if you are fortunate enough to see him, you know the feeling – he seems to hang somewhere between being good and great. He possesses that effortless smoothness unique to long-distance runners; a penchant for lapping until the final bell triggers an instinctive, competitive gear.

​At 5:30 AM at The Kalinga, Gulveer is still fighting his own circadian rhythms, having returned from the US just a week ago. His winning time of 13:52.92 was slow by his standards – especially for an athlete holding an outdoor National Record of 13:03.93 and a blistering short-track indoor time of 12:59.77.

​Yet, functionally, the job is done. After swapping leads with Abhishek Pal, Harmanjot Singh, and Shivaji Parashu Madap, Gulveer effortlessly shifted gears on the final lap, cantering away to gold and sealing his case for the Asian Games.

​While the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) won’t officially announce the squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Games until after June 28th, Gulveer’s ticket is a formality. He comfortably shattered the AFI qualification benchmark of 13:39.18 earlier this season at the LA Track Festival, laying down a massive marker.

​Next, he will test his closing speed in the 1500m, a tactical tune-up for Japan.

​“It’s a new track; the grip doesn’t quite form yet,” Gulveer said after his win, explaining the unique surface at The Kalinga. “With continued workouts, the weight impact changes. Right now, it’s like rubber – it absorbs like a sponge, so there’s more bounce.”

​As he prepares for Glasgow and Japan, the athletics world will be watching closely. It’s exactly that divide – between the good and the truly great – that Gulveer is running to bridge.