NMDC celebrates Sawan Barwal’s historic Asian Games 2026 Marathon silver medal with pride

Barwal, 28, from Himachal Pradesh, clocked 2:11:37 to finish second in the marathon and set a new national record. His silver marked India’s first Asian Games marathon medal in more than four decades, since Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan won bronze at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

In a press release, NMDC said it had supported Barwal during his preparation for the international stage and described his performance as a testimony to its talent identification and athlete-nurturing initiatives.

NMDC said it has been promoting sports through individual sponsorships and support for athletes in disciplines including kabaddi, boxing, cricket and football. The company has also been associated with the Hyderabad Marathon as its title sponsor for several years.

As part of its wider sports and fitness initiatives, NMDC said it organises walkathons, sports tournaments and yoga programmes in line with the Fit India vision.

At the recently concluded NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, the company sponsored 170 athletes from Bastar. NMDC said one of them, Fuldhar Netam, finished first in the open category.

Barwal’s Asian Games silver has been widely recognised as a landmark performance for Indian marathon running. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated him, noting that it was India’s first medal in the Asian Games marathon in over four decades.