Sawan Barwal Wins Silver Medal in Mens Marathon at Asian Games, Ending 44-Year Wait for India
Sawan Barwal clinches silver in mens marathon at Asian Games 2026, marking Indias first medal in 44 years.
Nagoya, September 26 (Daily Kiran) : Sawan Barwal delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, securing a silver medal in the men’s marathon. This achievement marks the end of a 44-year wait for India to earn a medal in this event.
Barwal, a national record holder, maintained a strong position throughout the challenging 42.195-kilometer race. His silver medal is the first for India in the marathon category since the 1982 edition and the first-ever for an Indian man on foreign soil.
The marathon commenced at 4 AM IST, featuring Barwal and fellow Indian runner Karthik Karkera among 19 competitors. Barwal was part of the leading pack early on and asserted his presence as the race progressed.
By the halfway mark, Barwal had already secured second place. As the race continued, he remained competitive, reaching the 35-kilometer mark with a reported time of 1:49:29.
With approximately seven kilometers remaining, Barwal was chasing Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita, who had established a significant gap. Despite this, Barwal held his ground and maintained his position to clinch the silver medal.
This victory adds a fourth medal to India’s historical tally in the Asian Games marathon. The previous medals were won by Chhota Singh, who took gold in the 1951 Games, while Surat Singh Mathur earned bronze in the same edition. Hosur Kukkappa Seetharaman secured bronze in the 1982 Games.
Barwal’s silver medal now stands as India’s first marathon medal in a continental event in 44 years. Karthik Karkera finished the marathon in 2:22:41, placing 17th overall.
