Gulveer Singh Eyes 1500m Switch After Missing Asian Games Mark in 5000m at Inter-State Championships

National record holder Gulveer Singh once again showcased his class by winning the men’s 5000m title at the 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, but the gold medal came with a sense of disappointment.

Despite clocking 13:52.92 to finish first, the Asian Championships medallist fell short of the Asian Games qualifying standard of 13:39.18, forcing him to rethink his strategy for securing a berth at next year’s continental event.

The victory underlined Gulveer’s competitive instincts, as he produced a trademark late surge to overtake his rivals in the closing stages. However, his post-race comments revealed that qualifying for the Asian Games had been his primary objective.

“I wanted to qualify for the Asian Games, but it didn’t happen,” Gulveer admitted after the race.

The men’s 5000m final was one of the most competitive races of the championships. For much of the contest, Gulveer was not in the lead, with Harmanjot Singh setting the pace early before defending champion Abhishek Pal briefly moved to the front. As the race entered its decisive phase, Gulveer accelerated impressively in the final lap, demonstrating the finishing speed that has become one of his trademarks. His powerful kick carried him to the gold medal in 13:52.92, ahead of Abhishek Pal (13:54.18) and Harmanjot Singh (13:54.60).

While the performance was enough to secure the national title, it was more than 13 seconds outside the Athletics Federation of India’s qualification mark for the Asian Games.

Following the race, Gulveer suggested that adapting to the newly laid track may have affected his performance.

“The track is new and I couldn’t get a proper grip,” he explained. The comments indicate that unfamiliar surface conditions may have influenced his rhythm during the race. Having now completed one race on the track, Gulveer is expected to feel more comfortable in his next event, potentially allowing him to produce a faster performance.

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In an interesting tactical move, Gulveer will not contest the 10,000m at the Inter-State Championships and will instead line up in the 1500m, signalling a change in priorities. The decision appears aimed squarely at achieving Asian Games qualification. Although Gulveer is best known as a long-distance specialist, his credentials over 1500m are stronger than many might realise. His personal best of 3:36.58 is comfortably inside the Asian Games qualifying standard of 3:42.00, suggesting that if he is close to peak condition, he should have an excellent opportunity to secure qualification.

Earlier this season, Gulveer competed in a 1500m race in the United States and finished second in 3:37.87, demonstrating that he possesses the speed required to be competitive over the shorter distance. Remarkably, the upcoming race will mark the first time he competes in a 1500m event in India.

When asked whether switching from the 5000m to the 1500m would present difficulties, Gulveer dismissed concerns and expressed complete confidence in his coaching setup. “There is no big problem. The coach does all the work, he will decide what to do, and I have to follow his training,” he said.

The response reflects the disciplined approach that has helped him emerge as one of India’s premier distance runners. Rather than focusing on tactical uncertainties, Gulveer remains committed to executing the programme designed by his coaching team.

Despite entering the race with a personal best comfortably inside the qualification standard, the men’s 1500m is unlikely to be straightforward. The field includes Asian Championships medallist Krishan Kumar, Asian U-20 champion Mogali Venkatram, and Asian Championships medallist Yoonus Shah, ensuring strong competition throughout the race. However, the event also appears unusually open. Veteran Jinson Johnson has retired, while Ajay Kumar Saroj is not entered, reducing the number of established contenders. Yoonus Shah, meanwhile, has yet to reproduce the form that saw him excel last season.

These circumstances present Gulveer with an ideal opportunity to chase the qualifying time while also competing for another national title.

Regardless of the outcome in the 1500m, Gulveer remains one of India’s leading hopes in distance running. He is expected to compete in both the 5000m and 10,000m at the upcoming Commonwealth Games, where he will once again face elite international opposition. His credentials at the continental level are already proven. At the previous Asian Games, Gulveer captured the bronze medal in the 10,000m with a time of 28:17.21, announcing himself as one of Asia’s finest endurance athletes.

The inability to achieve the qualifying mark in the 5000m may have been a setback, but it has not diminished his ambitions. Instead, it has prompted a strategic shift toward the 1500m—a race in which his personal best suggests qualification is well within reach.

With confidence in his training, experience in major championships and another opportunity just around the corner, Gulveer Singh now has a golden chance to turn disappointment into success and secure his place at the Asian Games through a different path.