New Delhi, April 25 -- India's long-distance running has a new name to watch in Sawan Barwal, who is targeting the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics after ending a 48-year wait for a new national marathon record.

The 28-year-old runner from Joginder Nagar in Himachal Pradesh made a sensational debut at the Rotterdam Marathon 2026, clocking 2:11:58 to break the long-standing mark held by Shivnath Singh since 1978.

Reflecting on the moment, Barwal told Olympics.com, "When I crossed the finish line at the Rotterdam Marathon, I honestly wasn't thinking about the record at all. The race had taken everything out of me, especially in the final stretch, so my only focus was to finish. It was only after a few moments that I realised I had broken Shivnat...