Army Chief Honours India’s Rowing Heroes
Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth, felicitated Havildar Lakshay and Havildar Ujjwal Kumar Singh for creating history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal at a World Rowing Cup. The two Indian Army rowers achieved the landmark feat at the 2026 World Rowing Cup III held in Lucerne, Switzerland.
A Historic Gold for India
Representing India in the Men's Lightweight Double Sculls (LM2x) event, Havildar Lakshay and Havildar Ujjwal Kumar Singh produced an outstanding performance to finish first with a timing of 6:26.09.
The Indian duo finished ahead of teams from:
- Hong Kong
- The Netherlands
This was India's first-ever gold medal in the history of the World Rowing Cup, making it a landmark achievement for Indian rowing.
Pride of the Indian Army
Both athletes are serving soldiers of the Indian Army and train at the Army Rowing Node, which has played a key role in developing world-class rowing talent.
Congratulating the rowers, General Dhiraj Seth praised their dedication, discipline, and determination, stating that their achievement has brought immense pride to both the Indian Army and the nation.
Army's Contribution to Indian Sports
The success of Lakshay and Ujjwal highlights the Indian Army's continued contribution to Indian sports.
The Army provides athletes with:
- World-class training facilities
- Professional coaching
- Modern sports infrastructure
- Opportunities to compete at international events
Many of India's top athletes in disciplines such as rowing, shooting, boxing, athletics, and wrestling have emerged through the Army's sports programmes.
Inspiration for Future Athletes
The historic victory is expected to inspire young sportspersons across the country to pursue rowing and other competitive sports.
It also reflects India's growing presence on the international rowing stage and showcases the success of sustained investment in sports training and athlete development.
Conclusion
The felicitation of Havildar Lakshay and Havildar Ujjwal Kumar Singh by General Dhiraj Seth celebrates a remarkable moment in Indian sporting history. Their historic World Rowing Cup gold is not only a proud achievement for the Indian Army but also a milestone for Indian rowing, inspiring future generations to strive for excellence on the global stage.
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