Asian Games: Sawan Barwal wins historic silver in men’s marathon, sets new National Record

Mangalore Today News Network

Nagoya, Sep 26, 2026: India’s Sawan Barwal won a historic silver medal in the men’s marathon at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, clocking a personal best and securing the country’s first podium finish in the event in 44 years.

Barwal finished the race in 2:11:37, 48 seconds behind gold medallist Ichitaka Yamashita of Japan, who clocked 2:10:49. China’s Peiyou Feng won the bronze medal with a time of 2:12:13.

India’s previous marathon medal at the Asian Games came at the 1982 Delhi edition, making Barwal’s silver the country’s first in the event since then.

Barwal had earlier broken Shivnath Singh’s 48-year-old national record at the NN Marathon Rotterdam in April this year.

The Indian runner led the pack for a period during the race and was in second place at the halfway mark with a timing of 1:05:54.

The other Indian runner, Kartik Karkera, finished 17th among 19 competitors.