Nagoya, Japan: Indian distance runner Sawan Barwal created history at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, winning the silver medal in the men’s marathon and ending India’s 44-year wait for a medal in the event.
The 28-year-old from Himachal Pradesh clocked 2:11:37 to finish second behind Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita, who won gold in 2:10:49. China’s Peiyou Feng claimed the bronze medal with a time of 2:12:13.
Indian Army scripts history as India is back to the Asian Games marathon podium after a wait of 44 years!
A big congratulations to Havildar Sawan Barwal on his remarkable Silver Medal in the Men’s Marathon at the #AsianGames2026. His success has delighted the entire nation.… pic.twitter.com/ncrG8J1Psf
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 26, 2026
Barwal’s performance was also a new national record. He improved on the Indian record of 2:11:58 that he had set earlier this year in Rotterdam by another 21 seconds.
The medal marks a significant moment in India’s Asian Games marathon history. India’s previous medal in the event came at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, when Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan won bronze. Barwal is now the fourth Indian to win an Asian Games marathon medal and the first to do so outside India. All three of India’s earlier medals had come at the New Delhi Games.
Congratulate #SawanBarwal on winning the #Silver medal in the Men’s Marathon at the #AsianGames 2026, ending 44 years wait for the podium in the Men’s Marathon. His national record-breaking run will inspire sportspersons across the country. May he continue to shine brighter and… pic.twitter.com/5khHQNFZJV
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) September 26, 2026
From the Track to the Marathon
Barwal spent most of his career competing on the track and in distance events, including the 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m, as well as the 25km road race.
Before making the switch to the marathon, he had heard a perception that running times of around 2:12 or 2:13 were particularly difficult for Indian athletes.
Rather than dismissing the idea, Barwal took it as a challenge.
A National Record. A historic Silver!
Congratulations to Sawan Barwal on his remarkable Silver Medal in the Men’s Marathon at the #AsianGames2026.
India’s first Asian Games Men’s Marathon medal since 1982 & the first-ever by an Indian athlete in this event outside India.… pic.twitter.com/5Xn3KggEG3
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 26, 2026
That challenge turned into a record-breaking breakthrough in April.
Barwal made his competitive marathon debut at the NN Marathon Rotterdam in the Netherlands on April 12, 2026. He clocked 2:11:58, breaking Shivnath Singh’s Indian men’s marathon national record of 2:12:00, which had stood since 1978.
Heartfelt congratulations to Havildar Sawan Barwal from Joginder Nagar, Himachal Pradesh on winning Silver in the Men’s Marathon at #AsianGames2026 and setting a new record of national record of 2:11:37.
Today in Nagoya, Sawan rewrote history, this is India's first Asian Games… pic.twitter.com/Mwo4HrYF65— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) September 26, 2026
His performance in Rotterdam also secured his qualification for the Asian Games.
A Rapid Rise in the Marathon
Barwal joined the Indian Army in 2019 and later moved towards marathon running on the recommendation of his mentor Mohammed Yunus Khan and coach Scott Simmon.
His emergence as a marathon runner came after an already strong period on the track. In 2025, he set National Games records in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Following his record-breaking marathon debut in Rotterdam, the Athletics Federation of India selected Barwal and Kartik Karkera for the men’s marathon as part of its 77-member athletics squad for the Asian Games.
At Nagoya, Barwal delivered again.
In only his second competitive marathon, he ran 2:11:37 to claim silver behind Yamashita and lower his own national record by 21 seconds.
India’s other competitor in the event, Kartik Karkera, finished 17th among 19 competitors with a time of 2:22:41.
For Barwal, the result represented more than an individual record. It brought an end to India’s long wait for an Asian Games marathon medal and placed his name alongside the small group of Indian athletes who have previously stood on the podium in the event.
