📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Brendan
Sports
Himachal’s Sawan Barwal Claims Asian Games Marathon Silver, Shattering Stereotypes
✍️ India Today
🗓 26 Sep 2026, 02:38 PM
👁 9
Sawan Barwal of Himachal Pradesh secured a silver medal in the marathon at the Asian Games, challenging the belief that athletes from the state rarely excel in long‑distance events.
Sawan Barwal, a marathon runner from Himachal Pradesh, clinched the silver medal in the men’s marathon at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.
Barwal finished the 42.195‑km race in a time that placed him second only to the gold medalist, marking a historic achievement for a Himachali athlete in a long‑distance event.
The victory dispels the long‑standing notion that athletes from the mountainous state are not suited for endurance races, showcasing the growing depth of Indian distance running.
Barwal’s performance has already sparked interest in developing marathon training programs across Himachal, with officials planning to support more athletes for future international competitions.
Barwal finished the 42.195‑km race in a time that placed him second only to the gold medalist, marking a historic achievement for a Himachali athlete in a long‑distance event.
The victory dispels the long‑standing notion that athletes from the mountainous state are not suited for endurance races, showcasing the growing depth of Indian distance running.
Barwal’s performance has already sparked interest in developing marathon training programs across Himachal, with officials planning to support more athletes for future international competitions.