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Salman Khan’s Rise From Cab Driver to Asian Games Gold
Salman Khan had to support his family after his father died when Salman was 18.
He drove an Uber cab before joining the Indian Army in 2018.
Army coaches noticed that he was tall and strong and encouraged him to try rowing.
At first, Salman did not want to row, but he eventually discovered that he was good at it.
He won important races in India and abroad.
Now he is part of India’s quadruple sculls team for the 2026 Asian Games.
His teammates are Balraj Panwar, Satnam Singh and Jakar Khan.
The team trains together to make every rowing stroke match.
Salman wants to win gold and eventually compete at the Olympics.
Indian rower Salman Khan is set to compete for India at the 2026 Asian Games in the men’s quadruple sculls.
After his father died when he was 18, Khan drove an Uber cab in Delhi to support his family.
He joined the Bombay Engineer Group in Pune in 2018, where coaches introduced him to rowing.
Khan won national gold in 2022 and 2023, followed by international gold in 2024 and silver medals in 2025.
He hopes to win gold in Japan with Balraj Panwar, Satnam Singh and Jakar Khan.
- Who
- Indian rower Salman Khan and his quadruple sculls teammates Balraj Panwar, Satnam Singh and Jakar Khan.
- What
- Khan is preparing to represent India and compete for gold at the 2026 Asian Games.
- Where
- The competition will take place in Japan, while Khan trains at the Army Rowing Node in Pune.
- When
- The Asian Games are scheduled for 2026; Khan joined the Army in 2018 and the Army Rowing Node in 2021.
- Why
- Khan wants to win an Asian Games gold medal for India after progressing through national and international rowing competitions.
Key facts
- Event
- 2026 Asian Games
- Event location
- Japan
- Indian team
- Men’s quadruple sculls
- Teammates
- Balraj Panwar, Satnam Singh and Jakar Khan
- Army joining date
- 25 September 2018
- Major breakthrough
- Gold at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022
- Long-term ambition
- Compete at the World Championships, secure an Olympic quota and pursue an Olympic medal
Quotes
Salman Khan
Indian rower and Indian Army athlete preparing for the 2026 Asian Games
“The real turning point came in 2021 when I cleared the ergometer benchmarks and was selected for the Army Rowing Node (ARN) at CME Pune.”
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“I request all Indian sports fans to support us and keep us in their prayers.”
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