The Hangzhou Asian Games is going to be the last Asian Games for Swapna Barman, the only Indian heptathlete gold medalist in Asian Games (Jakarta 2018). Hangzhou Asian Games is scheduled to be held from 23rd September to 8th October this year in Hangzhou, China. In a bid to earn the qualification for the prestigious competition, 26-year-old Swapna sounds extremely eager to earn the qualification from the senior Inter-state championship, commencing on 15th June in Bhubaneswar. 

Her pro-longed back injury which baffled her physique and mind for the first time in 2014 is still with her. She is not cured even after an injection in the spine. Every day she has to complete the rehab program first before starting training. Despite the injury, Swapna acquired a silver medal in pentathlon, scoring 4119 in Asian Indoor. Doctors adviced her to undergo back surgery. But she has not followed that advice. 

Rather, she is mulling retirement from her sport seriously after the Asian Games. While speaking to Parallel Sports Swapna said, "I am going to Bhubaneswar with the purpose of earning qualification for my last Asian Games and I dream of making my participation in the mega tournament 'memorable'. I know I have not been able to train regularly due to back pain after returning from Asian Indoor held in Astana, Kazakhstan in February this year. I know I cannot train without doing a rehab program every day before starting practice. I also know that I will have to bear the severe pain while competing in my events in Bhubaneswar. Still, I am focused to earn the qualification. I will try my best."

The Paris Olympics next year is not in Swapna's mind. She did not hesitate to reveal, "Previously, there were two scoring phases for the qualification for Olympics, 5800 (B category qualification) and 5900 (A category qualification). Now, only one qualification score has been set. That is 6400 points which I feel is next to impossible for me Where as I need to score within 5500 points to ensure participation in the Asian Games. I feel I can reach the score despite the injury and pain."

Swapna has also set two of her important activities for the future. Firstly, Swapna has decided to complete her marriage in November, after the Asian Games. Secondly, after retirement, she will not choose coaching.

Swapna will represent Madhya Pradesh in the Inter-state meet. Commenting on the issue she added, "I have said it repeatedly. Again I am stating that the silver and bronze medal winners in Asian Games have been rewarded with incentives in Bengal. What reward has been given to me compared to those incentives? I did not receive a hefty amount of cash incentive. I was not allotted even a piece of land. I feel I am deprived of these mainly because I have come from the Rajbanshi family. So, These were the reasons I registered myself from MP.