NEW DELHI: Gaining grounds beyond the country’s borders, two soldiers from the Indian Army captured India’s first-ever gold medal at a World Rowing Cup.Havildars Ujjwal Kumar Singh and Lakshay crossed the finish line in 6 minutes and 26.09 seconds to claim the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls gold medal at World Rowing Cup Stage 3 in Lucerne, Switzerland. The Indian duo finished ahead of Hong Kong (6:27.14) and the Netherlands (6:27.36) in a photo finish victory.The result marks a watershed moment for Indian rowing, which had never previously won a gold medal in the World Rowing Cup series.Congratulating the duo, Indian Army Sports and Adventure, Army’s sports and adventure wing, on its official handle on X said, “Historic! India’s First Ever Gold. Hav Lakshay & Hav Ujjwal Kumar Singh (Army Rowing Node) won India’s first-ever World Rowing Cup gold in LM2x at Lucerne — 6:26.09. Proud moment for the Indian Army and the nation!”While their Dutch and Hong Kong rivals relied on a high stroke rate of 40 strokes per minute, the Indian soldiers remained composed, holding a highly efficient rhythm of 36 strokes per minute.Of the 18-member squad competing at the regatta, 17 athletes are from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Navy, indicating the Indian military’s heavy investment in rowing infrastructure.
