New Delhi, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Sawan Barwal on his silver-medal-winning performance in the men’s marathon at the Asian Games 2026, calling his achievement a milestone that marked India’s return to the event’s podium after four decades.
“My heartiest congratulations to Sawan Barwal on winning Silver Medal in the Men’s Marathon at the Asian Games 2026. Your exceptional performance has marked India’s return to the Asian Games marathon podium after four decades. May this remarkable achievement inspire a new generation of distance runners,” the President wrote on X.
Barwal’s silver ended a 44-year wait for India in the Asian Games marathon. The last Indian to win a medal in the event was Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan, who claimed bronze at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.
Before that, India had won two medals in the inaugural 1951 Asian Games, with Chhota Singh winning gold and Surat Singh Mathur securing bronze.
Barwal also broke the national record during his medal-winning performance in Aichi-Nagoya. He stayed among the front-runners throughout the 42.195-km race and held on to second place despite a late challenge from the chasing field.
The Indian runner was second at the halfway mark and remained in contention as the race entered its decisive stages. With around 3 km remaining, he was still behind Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita but maintained enough of a gap over the runners behind him to secure silver.
Barwal also became the first Indian man to win an Asian Games marathon medal on foreign soil, adding another distinction to his performance.
India’s other competitor in the race, Karthik Karkera, finished 17th with a timing of 2:22:41.
The silver added to India’s athletics medal haul at the ongoing Asian Games and marked the country’s return to the marathon podium after decades.
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