Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: India's Sawan Barwal clinched a historic silver medal in the men's marathon at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday, ending the country's 44-year wait for a podium finish in the event with a personal best and national record timing of 2:11:37.

Barwal's achievement marks India's first marathon medal at the Asian Games since the 1982 Delhi edition, when Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan won bronze.

Japan's Ichitaka Yamashita won gold with a timing of 2:10:49, finishing 48 seconds ahead of Barwal. China's Peiyou Feng claimed bronze in 2:12:13.

Barwal, who led the pack for a stretch of the race, had moved into second place at the halfway mark, clocking 1:05:54.

The Indian runner had earlier made headlines in April this year by breaking Shivnath Singh's 48-year-old national record at the NN Marathon in Rotterdam.

The other Indian in the event, Kartik Karkera, finished 17th among 19 runners.

Barwal's silver medal adds to India's medal tally on the seventh day of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

India's campaign on Saturday also features the men's and women's kabaddi teams, both of whom will face Iran in their respective finals, with gold medals at stake.

The Indian men’s team will aim to secure their ninth Asian Games gold medal, while the women’s side will be chasing their fourth title.

In badminton, Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will begin her women’s singles campaign and will look to lead India’s challenge after the unexpected exit of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty from the men’s doubles event.

Lakshya Sen will also be in action in the men’s singles category and will face Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew.

In athletics, Gulveer Singh will return to the track after winning silver in the men’s 10,000m event, as he competes in the 1500m heats with an aim to qualify for the final. Parul Chaudhary and Pooja will feature in the women’s 1500m final.

Tajinderpal Singh Toor will look to complete a hat-trick of Asian Games gold medals in the men’s shot put event, while Praveen Chithravel will aim to improve on his Hangzhou 2023 bronze medal in the men’s triple jump final.

India’s archery campaign will begin with the qualification rounds. The archery contingent will look to continue its strong run after securing nine medals at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.

In boxing, Jadumani Singh Mandengbam, Kapil Pokhariya and Priya Ghanghas will compete for places in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, squash players Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh, who have already secured medals after reaching the semi-finals, will look to progress further. Anahat will face Japan’s world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe, while Abhay will take on Pakistan’s Irfan Muhammad.

Shooting action will continue with the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, while the Indian men’s hockey team will face hosts Japan in a crucial match as they aim to move closer to a semi-final spot.

India will also have medal opportunities in canoe sprint, fencing and esports, while sailing will join the programme on Saturday.