India had a memorable start at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, South Korea, as Gulveer Singh won gold in the men’s 10,000m race, while Servin Sebastian settled with a bronze in the men’s 20km race walk. These achievements have brought pride and excitement to Indian athletics fans, setting a positive tone for the rest of the competition.
Gulveer Singh’s Golden Run
Gulveer Singh, already known as one of India’s top long-distance runners, delivered a stunning performance in the men’s 10,000m final. He completed the race in 28 minutes, 38.63 seconds, beating Japan’s Mebuki Suzuki and Bahrain’s Albert Kibichii Rop, who finished second and third, respectively. Gulveer’s victory was not just a win—it was a display of determination and steady progress. Over the past few years, he has consistently improved his timings, training with international coaches and athletes in the United States. This hard work paid off as he claimed India’s first gold medal of the championship.
Gulveer’s journey is inspiring. Coming from a farming family in Sirsa village, Uttar Pradesh, he joined the army at a young age and took up athletics through cross-country running. He has previously won bronze medals at the Asian Games and the Asian Athletics Championships, but this gold marks a new high in his career. Gulveer is also set to compete in the 5000m event later in the meet, aiming to add to his medal tally.
Servin Sebastian’s Bronze Breakthrough
Earlier in the day, India’s first medal at the Gumi meet came from race walker Servin Sebastian. Competing in the men’s 20km race walk, Servin clocked a personal best of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 13.60 seconds to secure the bronze medal. He finished behind Wang Zhaozhao of China and Kento Yoshikawa of Japan, both of whom set a fast pace in the race.
For Servin, this medal was a moment of redemption. Last year, he narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Paris Olympics, which was a tough setback. However, he bounced back strongly in 2025, winning gold at the National Games and the Indian Open and now earning his first continental medal. His performance in Gumi not only brought him personal satisfaction but also boosted his world ranking, improving his chances for future international competitions.