Sawan Barwal has just rewritten Indian athletics history, breaking a 48-year-old national record set by Shivnath Singh. But in a rare and revealing moment, the long-distance runner says the achievement brought him little joy.

In this exclusive interview, Barwal opens up about expectations, disappointment, and why the record wasn’t the real goal.

Q: You’ve just broken a long-standing national record. What does it mean to you?

Sawan Barwal:
“We had planned to run around 2:08–2:10. The national record wasn’t the target — it was expected if we hit that time. The focus was always on performance.”

Q: What was going through your mind at the finish line?

Sawan Barwal:
“There was no happiness — only disappointment. We had a target, and I felt we missed it. Even though the record was broken, it didn’t feel like an achievement at that moment.”

Q: Why such a strong feeling of disappointment despite the record?

Sawan Barwal:
“Our goal was the time, not the record. In the last 2 km, things didn’t go as planned. That’s why I wasn’t satisfied.”

Q: Has life changed after this performance?

Sawan Barwal:
“Not really. I haven’t paid much attention to social media or anything outside.”

Q: This was your first marathon. How was the experience?

Sawan Barwal:
“It’s both physically and mentally demanding. Toward the end, it becomes a mental battle. Transitioning from track events like 10,000m to the marathon was a challenge, but preparation helped. I was confident of running around 2:08–2:09.”

Q: You narrowly missed a medal at the Asian Championships. Does that stay with you?

Sawan Barwal:
“Yes. Finishing fourth is tough. It doesn’t stay on my mind every day, but it’s always there.”

Q: How do you reflect on your last season overall?

Sawan Barwal:
“It was good. I set personal bests and performed well across events. The only disappointment was the Asian Championships, but I learned a lot from that.”

Q: Did breaking Shivnath Singh’s record carry emotional weight for you?

Sawan Barwal:
“I knew about the record, but I didn’t focus on it. I believed if I ran my target time, the record would come naturally. My focus was always on timing, not the record itself.”

Q: What are your main targets now?

Sawan Barwal:
“The Asian Games. I want to prepare properly and aim for a medal.”

Q: Finally, how did you process the moment after the race?

Sawan Barwal:
“I felt mentally light, but still disappointed. Later, my coach told me to relax and enjoy it. I’ll aim to do better next time.”