Next stop Asian Games, says national marathon record-holder Sawan Barwal

Indian Army athlete Sawan Barwal, national record holder in marathon with 2:11:58 at Rotterdam, who visited Hyderabad for NMDC Marathon event launch, credits training support and is now aiming at Asian Games and 2028 Olympics success

Hyderabad: For someone who set a National record in a marathon with a timing of 2:11.58 in the Rotterdam Marathon (The Netherlands) earlier this month, Sawan Barwal made a quiet entry, expectedly, into the City on Tuesday without any fanfare.

Barwal is here at the invitation of Hyderabad Runners Society for the launch of Charity Bibs for the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon.

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The fact that Sawan Barwal set the record in his maiden international appearance and broke the 48-year-old record of Shivnath Singh (set in 1978) was proof, if needed, of the meteoric rise of someone who changed over from the track events (5 km and 10km) to the marathon only six months back.

The 27-year-old Barwal, who is a Havaldhar in the Indian Army, is now gunning for an Asian Games medal later this year and reminds that the switch-over to marathon happened because of fellow Army personnel and mentor Mohammed Yunus Khan.

“He has been training me since 2021 and I owe everything to him for he taught me the nuances in becoming a marathon runner as one has to think in terms of hours and not minutes, focussing on endurance levels and consistency in speed being huge challenges. Now, I am training at Reliance Foundation Centre in Coonoor,” he said.

Reflecting on the national record, this marathoner, born in Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) and familiar with the challenges involved in running because of the terrains back home, said it was mostly a flat course with the climate posing challenges like cold and windy weather as he approached the finish line.

“That Rotterdam Marathon was a combination of mental toughness and physical endurance. Feel great that I passed that test,” he said.

“The target was definitely to come up with a special performance and I am glad that I set the National record,” Sawan said in a chat with ‘Telangana Today’. “Honestly, when I came to know that I set a national record, my joy knew no bounds. Definitely, it is one of those dreams for any athlete,” he said.

On the challenges ahead, particularly given the fact that there are not many international events lined up for him before the Asian Games, a confident Barwal said that the focus would be more on training and nothing else.

“Yes, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is another target I am chasing for sure and in this context, the National record is a huge motivation that I can be there putting in the desired efforts,” he said.

Not surprisingly, Barwal is content that he is getting some kind of recognition now after the National record and owes his success to his parents – father a private employee and mother housewife. For sure, this indefatigable athlete is gunning for greater glory in the world of athletics!