Long-distance runner Abhishek Pal secured a bronze medal in the men's 10,000m walk to open India’s medal tally at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 held at the Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Competing under challenging and humid conditions, Pal crossed the finish line at 29:33.26 time. His personal best time in the 10,000m race stands at 28:54.98, achieved last year in Gujarat. However, the national record of 28:02.89 in the men's 10,000m race, set by Beijing 2008 Olympian Surendra Singh 15 years ago, remains unbroken.

The 25-year-old athlete from the Indian Army will represent India in the 5000m event. Gulveer Singh, another Indian participant, secured the fifth position with a timing of 29:53.69.

The gold medal in the 10,000m race went to Ren Tazawa of Japan, who finished with a time of 29:18.44. Shadrack Kimutai Koech of Kazakhstan earned the silver medal with a time of 29:31.63.