Satnam Singh Salman Khan Asian Games rowing bronze: Historic medal for India

Satnam Singh Salman Khan Asian Games rowing bronze has created history at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. The Indian duo of Satnam Singh and Salman Khan clinched the bronze medal in the men’s double sculls on Thursday, September 24, giving India its first-ever Asian Games medal in the event.

Competing at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course, Satnam and Salman clocked 6:13.25 to finish third in the final. China’s Yi Xudi and Nie Yide won gold with 6:09.77, while Uzbekistan’s Mekhrojbek Mamatkulov and Pavel Sorin took silver in 6:10.49.

Satnam Singh’s special message after the bronze

The medal carried a significance beyond the podium for Satnam Singh. After the historic performance, he highlighted the symbolism of a Sikh athlete and a Muslim athlete winning a medal together for India.
“Today, a Khan and a Singh won a medal for India,” Satnam said, adding that he wanted people to remember the achievement long after the two athletes were gone. He also described Salman as being like a brother to him.

For Satnam, the moment was also an opportunity to speak about unity and the importance of people not being divided along religious lines.

India’s first Asian Games medal in men’s double sculls

The Satnam Singh Salman Khan Asian Games rowing bronze is a landmark achievement for Indian rowing.

The pair remained in second position through the 500m, 1000m and 1500m checkpoints before slipping to third during the final 500 metres.

The Indian duo had to adapt quickly after changes were made to the rowing team’s combinations shortly before the competition. Satnam and Salman had initially been selected for the quadruple sculls team, but were moved into the double sculls event.