Sawan Barwal Makes History, Wins Silver in Asian Games Marathon

Indian marathon runner Sawan Barwal created history at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday by winning the silver medal in the men’s marathon. His performance ended India’s 44-year wait for a medal in the Asian Games marathon event.

Barwal completed the race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 37 seconds, recording a personal best and a new national record. Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita won the gold medal with a time of 2:10:49, while China’s Peiyou Feng finished third in 2:12:13.

Barwal Holds His Ground in a Tough Race

The men’s marathon began early on Saturday with 19 runners, including Barwal and fellow Indian athlete Kartik Karkera. Barwal quickly moved into the leading group and remained in second position around the halfway point, crossing it in 1:05:54.

As the race progressed, the Indian athlete continued to maintain his pace. He was still in second place at the 35-kilometre mark, with Yamashita leading the field. In the final stages, the Japanese runner managed to increase the gap, but Barwal stayed composed and protected his silver-medal position.

Barwal eventually crossed the finish line in 2:11:37, securing a historic medal for India. Karkera finished 17th among the 19 competitors with a timing of 2:22:41.

Ending a 44-Year Wait

Barwal’s silver is India’s first Asian Games marathon medal since the 1982 Delhi Asian Games. It is also the country’s first medal in the event at an Asian Games held outside India.

India had previously won three marathon medals at the Asian Games. Chhota Singh won gold and Surat Singh Mathur took bronze at the inaugural 1951 Asian Games, while Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan won bronze in 1982. Barwal’s achievement therefore adds a fourth medal to India’s history in the event.

A New National Record

The Asian Games silver medal adds to Barwal’s impressive recent run in marathon racing. Earlier in 2026, he broke Shivnath Singh’s 48-year-old national marathon record at the NN Marathon Rotterdam.

His latest performance in Nagoya further strengthens his position among India’s leading long-distance runners. The 2:11:37 timing not only brought him an Asian Games medal but also established a new national benchmark in the marathon.

Barwal’s silver comes as India continues its strong athletics campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. His historic finish has given Indian athletics another major moment and ended a long wait for a marathon medal on the continental stage.

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