Satnam Singh Celebrates Historic Bronze in Men's Double Sculls at Asian Games

Satnam Singh has made history by winning India's first-ever bronze medal in the Men's Double Sculls at the 2026 Asian Games. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for Indian rowing but also sets the stage for future successes. Satnam discusses the importance of experience, the evolving support structure in Indian rowing, and his aspirations for the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics. With a newfound confidence and competitive spirit, he believes that India can achieve even greater heights in rowing. Read on to discover more about Satnam's journey and the future of the sport in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 9, 2026, 00:24 IST

A New Era for Indian Rowing

New Delhi, October 8: Rower Satnam Singh has expressed that India's groundbreaking bronze medal achievement in the men's Double Sculls at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya marks not just the end of a long wait but also a new beginning for rowing in the country.

Historically, India had never secured a medal in the Men's Double Sculls since the Asian Games commenced in 1951. Satnam, hailing from Punjab, teamed up with Salman Khan to clinch the bronze with a time of 6:13.25 at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course. This medal adds to Satnam's collection, as he previously won bronze in the Quadruple Sculls event in Hangzhou.

“The barriers that once existed have now been lifted. We can now aspire to achieve more medals in this event moving forward and enhance our performance,” Satnam shared with SAI Media on Thursday.

He emphasized the significance of experience, stating, “When an athlete is new, competition can be daunting. However, as one continues to compete, experience builds confidence and diminishes fear, which is crucial for any athlete.”

Satnam believes that the evolving support system surrounding Indian rowing has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Indian rowers and their global counterparts. A notable change has been the chance to train and compete in Europe, thanks to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

“This was our first experience with training camps in Europe. Competing against some of the world's elite nations before the Asian Games allowed us to gauge our performance against the best,” Satnam explained. “Previously, we were significantly behind, but now we are only finishing three to four seconds behind European teams.”

“With ongoing support from our coaches and the introduction of new technologies in the sport, Indian rowing is making remarkable strides,” added the 26-year-old Indian Navy athlete.

As the focus shifts towards the LA 2028 Olympics, Satnam is determined to capitalize on this momentum. “We are optimistic about the Los Angeles Olympics and aim to qualify for as many events as possible. Historically, India has not been at this competitive level, but now we are racing closely with European teams,” he stated.

“We are making significant progress in rowing, and we remain hopeful of winning gold at the Asian Games. Our goal for the Olympics is to compete and reach the finals,” Satnam Singh concluded in his conversation with SAI Media.