"He is a sure shot medal prospect" - Fans confident of Avinash Sable's performance at Paris Olympics 2024 after new national record
India’s 3000m steeplechase runner Avinash Sable reaches a new milestone as he sets the national record at the Paris Diamond League 2024 on Sunday, July 7.
Sable finished sixth in the race with an impressive timing of 8:09.91 at the Charlety Stadium. This meant that the 29-year-old broke his own record of 8:11.20, which he had previously set at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, to win a silver medal.
This was Sable’s third tournament this year after clocking 8:21:25 at the Portland Track Festival in the USA and 8:31.75 at the 63rd National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana.
Now, the record-breaking finish at the Paris Diamond League is a perfect setup for Sable just before the Paris Olympics 2024 starting July 26.
Fans cannot hide their excitement seeing Sable peak at the right time and bring glory to the nation. They reacted their hearts out on X (formerly Twitter) as the 29-year-old broke the national record.
A user highlighted Sable's potential to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, which would be a historic moment for Indian athletics.
“This is fabulous- he is a sure shot medal prospect in Paris which will be like a dream come true- a medal in track event,” wrote John Rajan.
Sanjiv Navangul praised Avinash Sable's consistent performance over the years and acknowledged his exceptional talent.
“This is absolutely brilliant. Avinash has been so consistent for the last few years that we must acknowledge his greatness,” wrote Sanjiv Navangul.
Another user was impressed by Sable's performance, noting that he could have finished even faster and is now a strong contender for a medal.
“Wow. I saw the whole race. Sable jogged and barely kicked at the end and still broke his NR. He could have been 6 seconds faster, IMO. So he is peaking at the right time, like he said at the Inter States. He is now firmly a dark horse medal contender,” wrote another fan.
JSW’s MD Parth Jindal enthusiastically congratulated Avinash Sable on his national record and looks forward to his performance in the Paris Olympics.
“Avinash Sable - you beauty! national record - bring on Paris!” exclaimed Parth Jindal.
One user suggested that if not for a slight mistake in the last hurdle, Avinash Sable could have finished 4th and shaved off 2 seconds from his timing.
“Last hurdle me thodi gadbad ho gayi nahi to 2 second aur kam ata aur 4th finish ho jata,” said Sagar.
A fan praised Sable's fantastic run, noting that he was initially expected to finish 4th but still managed to secure a new national record with a 6th place finish.
“What a run by Avinash Sable..simply fantastic..at one time it was looking that he will finish 4 th..6th place along with new NR 8.09.91 is commendable.”
Avinash Sable all set for Paris Olympics 2024
The athletics events at the Paris Olympics 2024 will run from August 1 to August 11 at Stade de France. Avinash Sable qualified for the mega-event by breaching the Olympic qualification standard of 8:15:00 in the men's 3000m steeplechase. He did so in July 2023 at the Silesia Diamond League, where he clocked 8:11:63 to finish sixth.
His current performance now makes him a great medal prospect for India at the Summer Olympics 2024.