Asian Games 2026: India’s 44-year wait ends, Sawan Barwal wins men’s marathon silver

India’s Sawan Barwal reacts after his second-place finish in the men’s marathon at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man) Sawan Barwal scripted the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday, winning silver in the men’s marathon and ending India’s 44-year wait for a medal in the event. He clocked a personal best of 2:11:37 to finish 48 seconds behind Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita, who won gold in 2:10:49. China’s Peiyou Feng took the bronze in 2:12:13.The marathon started at 4:00 am IST with 19 runners including Barwal and fellow Indian Kartik Karkera. Barwal quickly established himself among the leaders and was second at the halfway mark with a time of 1:05:54. He continued to hold his position as the race entered the final stages, reaching the 35 kilometer mark in second place.With about seven kilometers to go, Barwal was still chasing Yamashita. The Japanese eventually created a gap, but Barwal maintained his pace and remained firmly in the silver medal position. He finished with a time of 2:11:37, securing India’s first marathon medal at the Asian Games since the 1982 Delhi Games and the country’s first medal in the event on foreign soil.

A historic medal for Indian athletics

The silver adds to Barwal’s growing record. In April, he broke Shivnath Singh’s 48-year-old national marathon record at the NN Marathon Rotterdam. His latest performance now translates that record form into a major international medal.Barwal’s silver is India’s fourth marathon medal at the Asian Games. Chhota Singh won gold and Surat Singh Mathur won bronze at the inaugural games in 1951, while Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan won another bronze in 1982.Second Indian runner Kartik Karkera finished 17th out of 19 runners with a time of 2:22:41.