Indian Army Duo Create History With India’s First-Ever World Rowing Cup Gold

India Army Duo Create History, Win Nation’s First-Ever World Rowing Cup Gold

India etched its name into the history books at the 2026 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, as Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh clinched the country’s first-ever gold medal at a World Rowing Cup event on Saturday.

The Indian pair dominated the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls final, clocking 6:26.09 to finish ahead of Hong Kong (6:27.14) and the Netherlands (6:27.36) in a thrilling contest decided by little over a second.

The victory marks a landmark moment for Indian rowing, which had never before won gold in the World Rowing Cup series – one of the sport’s premier annual competitions and an important build-up event to the World Rowing Championships.

The achievement is made even more remarkable by the athletes’ backgrounds. Both Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh are serving soldiers in the Indian Army and are part of an Indian contingent that has been shaped almost entirely through the armed forces’ sporting ecosystem. Of the 18-member squad competing in Lucerne, 17 athletes are from the Indian Army and one represents the Indian Navy.

Facing a strong field that included Hong Kong’s Lam San Tung and Chan Tik Lung – winners at World Rowing Cup I earlier this season – the Indian duo produced a composed and authoritative performance, maintaining their lead under pressure to seal a historic triumph.

The result highlights India’s growing stature in international rowing, particularly in lightweight events, where tactical execution, endurance and synchronization often prove decisive.

Reacting to the feat, Colonel Ramakrishnan, Commanding Officer of the Army Rowing Node, hailed the victory as a defining milestone 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 told NDTV.

“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.”

The medal was secured on the opening day of finals at the famed Rotsee course in Lucerne, regarded as one of the world’s finest rowing venues for its calm waters and Olympic-standard 2,000-metre six-lane course.

While the regatta concludes on Sunday with the remaining Olympic-class finals, Lakshay and Ujjwal’s golden performance has already ensured India’s campaign will be remembered as a watershed moment in the country’s rowing history.