Sawan Barwal Wins Historic Silver in Men’s Marathon at Asian Games

Aichi-Nagoya: Indian marathon runner Sawan Barwal scripted a notable chapter in the country’s Asian Games athletics history by winning the silver medal in the men’s marathon at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Barwal clocked 2:11:37 in the men’s marathon final, recording a personal best and a new national record. His silver also ended India’s 44-year wait for a podium finish in the Asian Games marathon.

The performance marked India’s first Asian Games marathon medal since 1982 and, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, was also the country’s first medal in the event at an Asian Games held outside India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Barwal on the achievement, describing his performance as a reflection of his endurance and determination.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said the new national record and India’s first marathon medal at the Asian Games in more than four decades made the achievement particularly significant.

The medal adds to India’s campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, with the country’s athletes continuing to compete across athletics and other disciplines.

Barwal’s performance also places his national-record run among the notable results for Indian athletics at the Games, as the country continues its medal campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.