Its hard to get over Kartik Kumars suspension due to doping, says Gulveer Singh

Even as he targets to win medals in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in 2026, Asian champion in 5000m and 10000m Gulveer Singh finds it hard to get over his mentor and former training partner Kartik Kumar’s suspension due to doping.

Asian Games 10000m silver medallist Kartik, who trained with Gulveer and others in Colorado Springs under coach Scott Simmons, accepted a three-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance earlier this year.

Still, Gulveer is in a state of disbelief. “I don’t worry much about my family problems, but I am so sad about this episode. Only I know how sad I am. To me, Kartik is a father figure — like someone who holds his son’s hand and teaches him how to walk. Wherever I am today, it’s because of him. Maybe something happened to him. Such a top athlete cannot commit such a mistake on his own,” Gulveer told The Hindu.

On his below par showing in the Tokyo World championships, Gulveer, who recorded his personal and season bests and National records of 12:59.77 and 27:00.22 in 5000m and 10000m respectively earlier this year, said it was a learning experience for him. 

“Results depend on how the body responds. When people race for a medal, the pace can go up and down. It was a different experience to train and compete alongside world class runners. Got to learn a lot, where to pace up and where to pace down.”

As he approaches an important 2026 calendar, Gulveer aims at medalling in big events including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

“I have to focus on three things – training, diet and recovery. I don’t think about other aspects, including the tactics. The coach takes care of all those. In races, where there are no medals, one can go for better timing.”

Gulveer wants to continue his hard work as he is all set to begin the new year by competing at the World cross country championships in the USA in January.