Ronaldo & Beckham: The Indian Cyclists Turning Heads At Asian Games 2026
They were famous names among them so people might be confused but they did very well on the track.
The 2026 Asian Games in Japan have given Indian sports fans an unexpected reason to double take. Two Indian track cyclists Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam and David Beckham Elkatohchoongo have generated a lot of attention, with their names associated with two of football’s biggest stars, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.
But there is no connection between the Indian cyclists and the international football icons. Ronaldo Singh and David Beckham Elkatohchoongo are two of the best Indian track cyclists who have established their own reputation on track through their own performances on the velodrome.
Who is Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam?
Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam is one of India's fastest sprint cyclists. He has represented India at many international competitions as a track cyclist.
His biggest achievement in his career was at the Asian Track Cycling Championships, where he became the first Indian to win an individual silver medal in the competition. His performances have helped to raise the profile of Indian track cycling on the international scene.
His first name has its own story. Though he is associated with Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Indian cyclist has said that he was named after Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho.
David Beckham Elkatohchoongo makes his mark
Then there is David Beckham Elkatohchoongo, another Indian cyclist whose name immediately catches attention.
Beckham has established himself as a competitive sprint cyclist and has represented India at major national and international events. His sprint performances include national titles and records and he is one of India's most promising young cyclists.
Although his name might bring to mind former England captain David Beckham, the Indian athlete’s sporting journey is rooted in cycling.
Football Names, Cycling Legacy
The unusual combination of names soon became a talking point among fans. Some social media users even wondered whether Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham had somehow been associated with India's Asian Games contingent.
The reality, in fact, was much more interesting. Both athletes are Indian cyclists and have begun their careers independently and are now leading track cyclists at the top.
Their stories also demonstrate how names can create unexpected moments of recognition in international sport. But beyond the viral attention, their achievements provide a glimpse into the progress of Indian cycling.
India’s Track Cycling Story
Track cycling has been gaining ever more exposure in India with athletes coming in sprint and endurance disciplines at continental and international events.
Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam and David Beckham Elkatohchoongo are the young Indian cyclists who hope to get a fair share of the attention in the international game. Their performances and achievements have brought attention to a sport that rarely gets the coverage cricket, football or athletics get.
As fans that are attracted to the duo because of their famous names know, their careers tell us that the athletes themselves have stories to tell in their careers.
More than just famous names.
The buzz around Ronaldo and Beckham may have started with their names but their sporting credentials are independent.
Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam has already established himself as one of the great track cyclists in India, while David Beckham Elkatohchoongo continues to play at the highest levels of sport.
At the Asian Games, the two cyclists are an unexpected social media talking point— not because they are football stars, but because they are Indian athletes carrying famous names while building legacies on the cycling track.