Gulveer Singh, who hit the headlines last year by breaking the National records in 5000m and 10000m twice each and broke more than a decade old 3000m indoor record in his 2025 season-opener in Boston, is delighted with the improvement he has shown in the last one year.
The 26-year-old Armyman, a bronze medallist in the Hangzhou Asian Games (10,000m) and Asian championships (5,000m) in 2023, first broke his coach Surendra Singh’s 16-year-old National record to be the first Indian to record a sub-28 minute time (27:41.81) over 10,000m in The Ten event at San Juan Capistrano, the USA, in March last and improved it further (28:14.88) in the Hachioji Long Distance event in Japan in November.
Indian athlete Gulveer Singh with coach during his practice session in JLN Stadium in New Delhi on December 03, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
Over 5000m, Gulveer clocked 13:18.92 in the Portland Track Festival, the USA, in June before lowering it to 13:11.82 in the Yogibo Athletics Challenge Cup in Japan in September.
The runner from Aligarh district in western Uttar Pradesh closed 2024 on a high as he emerged as the best Indian male runner, with a time of 1:14:10 for an overall eighth place, at the Tata Steel Kolkata World 25K in December.
The distance runner clocked 7:38.26 to finish second in the 3000m at the 2025 Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational Indoor Meet last week to begin the new season in style. The previous National record of 7:49.47 was clocked in 2008 by his coach Surendar Singh.
“I am elated to have clocked a good time in my season’s first indoor race. A good performance over 3000m (indoor) has given a big boost to my confidence. I should be able to do better during upcoming outdoor races,” said Gulveer.
With important events, such as the World and Asian athletics championships, scheduled this year, Gulveer is eager to raise his performance a few notches in 2025.
Gulveer spoke to The Hindu about his recent memorable performances and his targets ahead.
You have constantly improved in the last one year or so. What is the reason for this? How do you see this?
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) sent me abroad. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) also supported me in this. Initially, I was in the national camp.
We had coach Yunus Khan, who gave us good training. I went to the USA. I got another good coach in Scott Simon. After training there, I made good improvement.
Training partners play an important role. A long distance athlete can never train alone. For example, a 100 meter person can do it alone, but a long distance athlete can’t do it.
Have you done anything special to improve your performance?
The most important thing is training. It depends on the coach. We have to follow his schedule. We don’t do anything on our own. We follow the schedule. There was a 10000 race in the USA in March. The USA coach planned it well and I broke the 10000 National record. Wherever we competed in the USA I did well. Then I broke the National record for 5000 in Portland. The cut-off for Paris was 13:05 and mine was 13:18. However, in September, I lowered it to 13:11 in Japan.
What do you do to break the National record again and again?
It depends on the training programme and how the body responds at the time of a competition. For example, in the USA I did 13:18 and I used to train at a certain intensity. Later, the coach increased the intensity of training after watching how the body responded. So whatever changes he makes, we just follow it.
How do you feel about winning the 10,000m race in Japan with a National record?
It was a good race. I think of improving slowly and competing with the top athletes.
What are your targets now?
My next target is to win the gold medal in the Asian championships (May 27-31 in Gumi, South Korea) and qualify for the World championships (September 13-21, Tokyo).
I can qualify directly by doing 27:00. My target is to qualify directly (and not through rankings). I am also eyeing to make it in the 5000m, in which the qualifying mark is 13:01.
It’s less than the Olympics qualifying mark of 13:05. There is enough time in hand.
Of 10000m and 5000m, which one is your favourite event?
I like both and by the grace of God I am doing well in both the races.
Who is your role model?
Neeraj (Chopra) bhai sahab is my role model. He has made India proud. In my events, my training partner Kartik Kumar is my role model. I cannot express why. We stay together and train together. We are like brothers.
Tell us more about your bonding with Kartik.
We plan for a competition and decide what to do and what not to do. We don’t treat one another as competitors, we are like brothers.
Gulveer.
| Photo Credit:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
Any role model at the world level?
Yes, (Olympic and World champion in 10,000m) world record holder Jason Cheptegei, who won the Delhi half-marathon this year.
I was thinking of giving him a chase there but I went to the Asian Cross Country Championships in Hong Kong.
How does participation in road races help you in your main events on the track?
Road races improve one’s endurance. Once your endurance improves, you can work on speed closer to an event, say about a month to go. We carry the endurance of road races into the track competitions.
Are you also keen on competing in the 2028 Olympics?
Yes. I have more than three years left. I will go step by step and will do my best. I enjoy running with the top athletes and giving them competition.
Before that, the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are there in 2026.
Yes, I am keen on doing well in these elite events as well. As a country we should improve our performances in these prestigious events.
Gulveer with his daughter at his residence in Sirsa village in Uttar Pradesh.
| Photo Credit:
SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
You were blessed with a daughter last year and have a son as well. Does your son understand what you do and do you want him to be a professional runner?
My son is just four years old. He watches my performance on TV, but does not understand much. My wife tries to make him understand what I do. I will teach my children how to run as it is necessary for everyone. But it is very hard (to pursue running as a professional). I want them to study well and do something other than running. It is a very difficult job.
Published – February 18, 2025 09:59 pm IST
