Business · India Bureau
Sawan Barwal claims silver in Asian Games marathon with national record
Indian runner Sawan Barwal delivered a breakthrough performance at the 2026 Asian Games, securing silver in the men's marathon and shattering the national record. The 28-year-old Army officer's achievement marks India's first marathon medal at the continental event in over four decades.
LSN India ·
Sawan Barwal of Himachal Pradesh completed the 42.195-kilometre distance in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 37 seconds on Saturday, finishing behind Japan's Ichitaka Yamashita, who won gold with a time of 2:10:49. China's Peiyou Feng rounded out the podium with a third-place finish in 2:12:13.
Barwal's silver medal represents a watershed moment for Indian distance running at the Asian Games. His achievement is the first marathon medal for the country since Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan claimed bronze at the 1982 New Delhi edition. The 28-year-old also becomes only the fourth Indian ever to win a medal at the continental Games, joining Chhota Singh and Surat Singh Mathur, both of whom medalled in the inaugural 1951 edition in New Delhi.
The Armyman's record-breaking run underscores a remarkable rise in a sport he took up only this year. Prior to shifting to marathon distances, Barwal competed in 5,000-metre and 10,000-metre track events as well as half marathon races. Saturday's performance marks his second national record in as many marathon outings, signalling his rapid adaptation to the longer distance format.