Historic Bronze Medal Win for India in Men's Double Sculls at Asian Games 2026

Satnam Singh Celebrates Historic Achievement

By Vivek Prabhakar Singh

New Delhi [India], October 9: Rower Satnam Singh, who teamed up with Salman Khan to secure a groundbreaking bronze medal in the men's double sculls at the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, emphasized that this victory is a triumph for all 1.4 billion Indians.

Since the inception of the Asian Games in 1951, India had never previously medaled in the Men's Double Sculls event. Hailing from Punjab, Satnam and Salman achieved this historic feat with a time of 6:13.25 at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course. This bronze marks Satnam's second medal at the Asian Games, having previously earned bronze in the quadruple sculls event in Hangzhou.

In an interview, Satnam expressed his joy over winning the bronze and conveyed his aspirations for India to continue excelling in this event in the future.

“I am truly overjoyed that we secured a bronze medal in the men’s double sculls at the Asian Games. This is India’s first medal in this category since 1951, and we are hopeful for more medals in the future,” he stated.

Satnam described the indescribable feeling of standing on the podium with the Indian flag raised, a moment that only athletes can fully appreciate. He reiterated that this medal is not solely his but belongs to the entire nation, expressing that this historic win brings immense joy and motivation for future endeavors.

“I believe only a sportsman can genuinely feel this moment. While people watch on TV, this medal represents 1.4 billion people. It’s India’s first medal in this event since 1951, and we are incredibly happy—beyond words. We aim to achieve even greater success in the future,” he remarked.

Satnam acknowledged the support from the government, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provided financial aid, training facilities, and resources. He noted that training camps in Europe and participation in international competitions against top-tier teams significantly boosted their confidence leading up to the Asian Games.

“We have received tremendous support from the government and SAI. The TOPS scheme provides us with monthly allowances and any necessary resources. This time, SAI had a substantial budget, allowing us to train in Europe and compete in numerous world-class events, which greatly enhanced our confidence before the Asian Games,” he explained.

Satnam’s father, Amrik Singh, shared the family's joy upon hearing the news of his son’s medal win. He mentioned that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited their home a few days later to congratulate Satnam, and the achievement brought happiness to their entire village.

“When we received the call about the medal, our happiness knew no bounds. Everyone at home was thrilled. A few days later, CM Bhagwant Mann came to visit. The entire village celebrated,” he added.