Gurugram (Haryana) [India], April 1 (ANI): Indian marathon athlete Kartik Karkera expressed his pride and determination as he prepares to represent the country in the upcoming Asian Games 2026.

Speaking during an ASICS Ekiden India T-shirt launch event on Tuesday, Kartik said that representing India on the global stage is a great feeling and a huge honour. 'Representing India in the upcoming Asian Games is a great feeling. Having 'India' on your back is a huge honour. I aim to secure the top spot and listen to our national anthem. It's a significant achievement for me, and I'll work hard for it,' Indian Marathon Athlete Kartik Karkera said.

The 28-year-old, who is also an Orthopedic Surgeon by profession, attributed his consistent performances and success to a strong mindset and disciplined approach.

'For me, it's more about mindset. My professional career has made me very strong mentally, and that is helping me run good races, stay consistent, and achieve strong results. Being a surgeon requires resilience and discipline, and now everything is aligning--I am exactly where I want to be,' Karkera said.

When asked about his preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, the 28-year-old Kartik said that he is aiming for both a gold medal and the national marathon record.

'Preparations are going very well. I have been training consistently and very hard. And I feel that I have a very good chance to get to the top spot. And eventually, I will also focus on breaking the national record of India in the marathon,' he said.

ASICS Ekiden India 2026 will bring the spirit of Japan's legendary Ekiden relay to India, where teams of four runners will collectively cover 10 kilometres, passing the traditional Tasuki to symbolise trust, continuity and shared purpose.

The event will take place on 5th April 2026 at DLF CyberHub, Gurugram, and will feature a diverse mix of Indian and Japanese runners, reinforcing cross-cultural collaboration through sport.

ASICS athlete Kartik said during the event, 'Distance running teaches you discipline, patience and consistency, but Ekiden brings a completely different dimension to the sport through teamwork. When you carry the Tasuki, you are not just running your own race; you are carrying your team's effort, trust and expectations with you. That sense of responsibility makes the race very special, and it is wonderful to see ASICS bringing this format to India and introducing runners here to the spirit of team running.' (ANI)