Lucerne (Switzerland): Two Indian Army personnel scripted history on Saturday by winning the country’s first-ever gold medal at the 2026 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh competed in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls Final and produced a commanding performance to clock 6:26.09 and finish ahead of Hong Kong (6:27.14) and the Netherlands (6:27.36) in one of the closest races of the opening medal session.
This was a defining moment for Indian rowing and those who participate in the sport. India had never won a gold medal in the World Rowing Cup series – one of the sport’s most prestigious annual circuits and a key lead-up competition to the World Rowing Championships, as reported by India Today.
Both Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh serve in the Army and are part of an Indian contingent in Lucerne that has been built almost entirely through the armed forces system.
Seventeen of the 18-member Indian squad, competing at the regatta, are from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Navy. This is a reflection of the military’s long-standing investment in rowing infrastructure and athlete development.
The Indian duo entered the final against strong competition, including Hong Kong’s Lam San Tung and Chan Tik Lung, winners at World Rowing Cup I earlier this season. But Lakshay and Ujjwal rowed with authority from the front and held their advantage under pressure to secure a breakthrough result.
Their victory also underlined the growing competitiveness of Indian rowing on the international stage, particularly in non-Olympic and lightweight categories where margins are often decided by rhythm and race management rather than outright power.
Colonel Ramakrishnan, Commanding Officer of the Army Rowing Node, described the medal as a defining moment for the sport in the country, while speaking to NDTV after the win.
“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.
“Their success reflects years of hard work, discipline and world-class training at the Army Rowing Node. This victory is a proud moment for the Indian Army and the Nation, and we hope it inspires many more young athletes to pursue excellence in rowing and contribute towards India’s Olympic aspirations,” Col Ramakrishnan added.
The medal came on the opening day of finals at the iconic Rotsee course in Lucerne, widely regarded as one of rowing’s premier venues because of its calm waters and Olympic-standard 2,000-metre six-lane layout.
The three-day regatta concludes on Sunday with the Olympic-class finals still to come.
