Asian Athletics Championships: Gulveer Caps Sensational Double with 5000m Gold

National record holder from Indian Army concludes sensational performance in continental meet

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

Cementing his legacy in Indian long-distance running, national record holder Gulveer Singh capped a sensational double by clinching a gold in the men's 5000m event with a new meet record at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi (South Korea) on Friday.

Moments later, Pooja (women's high jump) and Nandini Agasara (heptathlon) tripled India's joy by topping the podiums in their respective events before Parul Chaudhary wrapped off Day 4 proceedings with a 3000m steeplechase silver.

With the addition of four medals on the day, India's tally swelled to 18, inclusive of 8 golds, 7 silver and three bronze medals. China continues to lead the chart with a total of 26 medals (15 gold, 8 silver and 3 bronze) while Japan is at third with 24 medals (4 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze). The event ends on Saturday.

The 26-year-old from Atrauli in Uttar Pradesh, who had earlier claimed gold in the 10,000m with a time of 28:38.63 on the opening day, began India's gold rush on Friday by smashing a decade-old meet record in a thrilling men's 5000m final. The national record holder clocked 13:24.77, edging out Thailand's Kieran Tuntivate (13:24.97) and Japan's Nagiya Mori (13:25.06).