India Army's Lakshay And Ujjwal Script History, Win India's First-Ever World Rowing Cup Gold

Published 28 June 2026 · india

India Army's Lakshay And Ujjwal Script History, Win India's First-Ever World Rowing Cup Gold Curated By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 18:17 IST Lakshay and

India Army's Lakshay And Ujjwal Script History, Win India's First-Ever World Rowing Cup Gold Curated By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 18:17 IST Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh win Indias first World Rowing Cup gold in Lightweight Mens Double Sculls at Lucerne 2026, beating Hong Kong and the Netherlands Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh clinch the nation’s first-ever gold medal India etched its name into the record books at the World Rowing Cup III 2026 in Lucerne, with Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh clinching the nation’s first-ever gold medal at a World Rowing Cup 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 tightly fought race during the opening medal session. The triumph marks a landmark moment for Indian rowing, which had never previously topped the podium in the World Rowing Cup series—one of the sport’s most elite annual circuits and a key build-up to the World Rowing Championships.

The achievement gains further weight given the athletes’ backgrounds. Both Lakshay and Ujjwal Kumar Singh are serving soldiers in the Indian Army and are part of a squad in Lucerne that is overwhelmingly shaped by the armed forces system. Of the 18-member Indian contingent, 17 athletes are from the Army and one from the Indian Navy, underlining the military’s sustained investment in rowing infrastructure and talent development. Historic! India’s🇮🇳 First Ever 🥇.Hav Lakshay & Hav Ujjwal Kumar Singh (Army Rowing Node) won India’s first-ever World Rowing Cup gold in LM2x at Lucerne — 6:26.09. Proud moment for the Indian Army and the nation!#IndianArmy#MissionOlympicsWing #ArmyRowingNode… pic.twitter.com/b67DAHaJGG— Indian Army Sports and Adventure (@IA_SportsAdvntr) June 28, 2026 Up against a strong field, including Hong Kong’s Lam San Tung and Chan Tik Lung, winners at World Rowing Cup I earlier this season, the Indian duo showed composure and control from the outset. They set the pace early and maintained their lead under pressure to seal a breakthrough victory.

The result also highlights India’s rising stature in international rowing, particularly in lightweight and non-Olympic categories where races are often decided by precision, rhythm, and tactical execution rather than sheer power. Speaking to NDTV after the race, Colonel Ramakrishnan, Commanding Officer of the Army Rowing Node, described the medal as a defining moment for the sport in the country. “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." The gold medal came on the opening day of finals at the iconic Rotsee course in Lucerne, widely regarded as one of the finest rowing venues in the world due to its calm waters and Olympic-standard 2,000-metre si lane layout.