Satnam Singh and Salman Khan produced a historic performance for India at the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games 2026 by securing the bronze medal in the men’s double sculls rowing event. The Indian pair finished third in the final at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course on September 24, recording a time of 6:13.25.
The achievement holds special significance for Indian rowing because it marks India’s first ever Asian Games medal in the men’s double sculls event. Satnam Singh added another Asian Games medal to his collection, while Salman Khan secured his first medal at the continental event.
The Indian duo remained firmly in medal contention throughout the race. They were in second position at several stages, including the 500 metre, 1,000 metre and 1,500 metre marks. However, the Indian crew could not maintain the position during the final stretch and slipped to third in the last 500 metres.
Despite the late challenge, Satnam Singh and Salman Khan maintained their composure and crossed the finish line in 6:13.25 to secure the bronze medal.
China’s Yi Xudi and Yide Nie won the gold medal after completing the race in 6:09.37. Uzbekistan’s Pavel Sorin and Mekhrojbek Mamatkulov finished second with a time of 6:10.49 to claim the silver medal. The Indian pair finished 3.88 seconds behind the Chinese gold medal winning crew.
For Satnam Singh, the bronze medal adds to an already significant Asian Games record. He was previously part of India’s bronze medal winning men’s quadruple sculls team at the Hangzhou Asian Games. His latest medal in Aichi Nagoya further strengthens his record at the continental competition.
The result is also an important milestone for Salman Khan, who has established himself as one of India’s competitive rowers. His partnership with Satnam Singh produced a historic result in an event where India had never previously reached the Asian Games podium.
The Indian rowing team faced a demanding competition in Aichi Nagoya, with several Indian crews competing in different events. The men’s double sculls pair, however, managed to convert their strong start into a podium finish.
The race demonstrated the importance of maintaining pace and coordination throughout the 2,000 metre course. Satnam and Salman stayed among the leading crews for most of the final and entered the closing stages in medal contention. Although they were unable to retain second place, their third position was enough to secure a historic bronze medal for India.
The rowing result also added to India’s medal haul at the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games. The achievement highlighted the growing presence of Indian athletes across different sporting disciplines at the continental level.
Satnam Singh’s experience from previous international competitions proved valuable during the final. His earlier Asian Games medal meant that he already had experience competing at the highest level of Asian rowing. For Salman Khan, the bronze represented an important breakthrough on the Asian Games stage.
India’s historic achievement in the men’s double sculls also provides another significant chapter in the country’s Asian Games rowing history. The event has been part of the Asian Games programme for decades, but India had not previously won a medal in the men’s double sculls category.
The 6:13.25 timing secured by Satnam Singh and Salman Khan was enough to place them ahead of the remaining crews and earn a place on the podium. China dominated the final with gold, followed by Uzbekistan with silver, while India completed the podium with bronze.
The result means that Indian rowing fans have another memorable Asian Games performance to celebrate. Satnam and Salman’s historic bronze demonstrates the competitiveness of Indian crews on the continental stage and gives the country its first ever medal in this specific rowing event.
The achievement of Satnam Singh and Salman Khan will remain a notable milestone in Indian rowing history, as the duo became the first Indian pair to win an Asian Games medal in the men’s double sculls.