Historic Rowing Bronze
Indian Rowers Claim Historic Bronze Medal at the 2026 Asian Games
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Key Points
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Satnam Singh had already won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games as part of India’s men’s quadruple-sculls crew, making this his second consecutive Asian Games rowing medal.
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After joining the Army, Salman Khan was encouraged to try rowing by coaches Satywan, Satish Siraat and Prabhat Mishra. At his first inter-centre regatta, he won silver, which helped persuade him to continue in the sport.
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In 2021, Khan cleared the required ergometer benchmarks and was selected for the Army Rowing Node at the College of Military Engineering in Pune, where training alongside leading Indian rowers accelerated his development.
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Khan initially disliked rowing and nearly quit twice because the sport’s demanding technique and training were unfamiliar to him, but persistent encouragement from his Army coaches kept him involved.
Indian rowers Salman Khan and Satnam Singh won bronze in men's double sculls at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, clocking 6:13.25 and securing India's first medal in the event. The pair held second place through most of the race before Uzbekistan overtook them near the finish, while China claimed gold.
Khan's medal caps a stunning rise from driving an Uber in Delhi nine years ago to becoming an Army soldier and international competitor. After his father died when Khan was 18, he worked to support his younger siblings before joining the Army in 2018, where coaches introduced him to rowing.
Singh's Second Medal Caps Consistent Excellence
Satnam Singh arrives at the 2026 Asian Games already a decorated rower. According to reports, Singh won bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games as part of India's men's quadruple-sculls crew. This bronze in double sculls marks his second consecutive Asian Games rowing medal, showing steady progress and reliability at Asia's premier sporting event.
Khan's Unlikely Path Into Competitive Rowing
When Khan joined the Army in 2018, Army coaches Satywan, Satish Siraat, and Prabhat Mishra encouraged him to try rowing. At his first inter-centre regatta, Khan won silver. That early success convinced him the sport was worth pursuing seriously despite his complete lack of background in competitive athletics.
In 2021, Khan cleared the required ergometer benchmarks and earned selection for the Army Rowing Node at the College of Military Engineering in Pune. Training alongside India's leading rowers accelerated his development dramatically, transforming him from a newcomer into a national-level competitor in just a few years.
Nearly Quitting Twice Before Finding His Rhythm
Khan initially disliked rowing. The sport's demanding technique and unfamiliar training regimen frustrated him so much that he nearly quit twice early on. His Army coaches refused to let him leave, offering persistent encouragement that kept him engaged during his toughest moments in the sport.
That persistence paid off. Khan went from an Uber driver with no athletic background to an Asian Games bronze medalist in less than a decade. His transformation shows how opportunity, encouragement, and determination can reshape someone's entire life trajectory in a short span.
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