Indian distance runner Sawan Barwal has claimed the silver medal in the men’s marathon at the 2026 Asian Games, marking a significant milestone for the nation by ending a 44-year medal drought in the event. The 28-year-old athlete completed the 42.195-km course in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a personal-best time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 37 seconds.
Barwal’s performance surpassed his own national record of 2:11:58, which he had established earlier this year at the Rotterdam Marathon in April. Throughout the race, the Indian runner maintained a strong pace, moving into the lead group at the 10-km mark. While Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita eventually secured the gold medal with a time of 2:10:49, Barwal held his position to finish ahead of China’s Peiyou Feng, who took bronze in 2:12:13.
This achievement represents India’s first Asian Games marathon medal since 1982, when Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan earned bronze in New Delhi. India’s only other podium finishes in the event occurred during the inaugural 1951 Asian Games, where the country secured both gold and bronze medals.
Barwal’s transition to the marathon has been rapid. Having previously focused on the 5,000m and 10,000m events, he only made his competitive marathon debut in 2026. His performance in Rotterdam in April had already seen him break the long-standing Indian national record of 2:12:00, set by Shivnath Singh in 1978.
The 20th Asian Games, currently taking place in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, 2026, feature athletes from 45 nations competing across 43 sports. Barwal’s silver medal adds to India’s growing athletics legacy at the continental games, following the country’s record-breaking 106-medal haul at the previous edition in Hangzhou.
