Lucerne (Switzerland): India scripted history at the 2026 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne after rowers Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh clinched the country’s first-ever gold medal at a World Rowing Cup event on Saturday.
The Indian duo produced a remarkable performance in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls Final, clocking 6:26.09 to finish ahead of Hong Kong, which recorded 6:27.14, and the Netherlands, which finished in 6:27.36.
The victory marks a watershed moment for Indian rowing, as the country had never previously secured a gold medal in the World Rowing Cup series, one of the sport’s most prestigious annual competitions and an important preparatory event for the World Rowing Championships.
Dominant performance in a closely contested race
Competing against a strong field, Lakshay and Ujjwal entered the final as underdogs but displayed exceptional composure and race management throughout the event.
The Indian pair maintained their rhythm and held off a late challenge from their rivals to claim the top spot on the podium in one of the closest races of the opening medal session.
The Hong Kong pair of Lam San Tung and Chan Tik Lung, winners at World Rowing Cup I earlier this season, had been considered among the favourites. However, the Indian rowers rowed with confidence and authority to secure a historic victory.
The win underlines India’s growing competitiveness in international rowing, particularly in the lightweight categories, where tactical execution and endurance often determine the outcome.
Indian Army’s contribution to rowing success
What makes the achievement even more significant is that both Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh are serving soldiers in the Indian Army.
The two rowers are part of an Indian contingent in Lucerne that has been built almost entirely through the armed forces system. Of the 18-member Indian squad participating in the regatta, 17 athletes belong to the Indian Army and one to the Indian Navy.
The result reflects the Indian Army’s sustained investment in rowing infrastructure, training facilities and athlete development programmes.
Speaking after the victory, Colonel Ramakrishnan, Commanding Officer of the Army Rowing Node, described the medal as a defining moment for Indian rowing.
“This is a historic achievement for Indian rowing. Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh have won India’s first-ever gold medal at a World Rowing Cup, showcasing the immense potential of our athletes,” he said.
He added that the success reflected years of hard work, discipline and world-class training at the Army Rowing Node and expressed hope that the achievement would inspire more youngsters to pursue rowing and contribute to India’s Olympic ambitions.
Landmark moment for Indian rowing
The medal came on the opening day of finals at the iconic Rotsee course in Lucerne, widely regarded as one of the world’s premier rowing venues because of its calm waters and Olympic-standard 2,000-metre six-lane layout.
The World Rowing Cup III regatta concludes on Sunday with the remaining Olympic-class finals still to be contested.
However, for Indian rowing, the historic gold medal has already become a defining moment and could serve as a major boost to the sport’s ambitions on the international stage.
The achievement not only marks India’s arrival as a competitive force in world rowing but also highlights the growing depth of talent being developed through the country’s sports and military institutions.
Comments are closed.