[WATCH] Steeplechaser Avinash Sable trains hard in Switzerland ahead of Paris Olympics 2024
Avinash Sable, India's steeplechaser, is all set to compete at the Paris Olympics 2024. This will be his second consecutive appearance on the big stage and the athlete would hope to add to the country's medal tally.
Born in Mandwa, Beed district, Maharashtra, Sable is currently preparing in Switzerland and was seen jumping a hurdle in a video shared by the Athletics Federation of India on X.
The 3000m steeplechase runner did well in the recent competitions. The 29-year-old made his debut in the Olympics in Tokyo 2020. He made headlines with a new national record of 8:18.12.
Avinash Sable was the quickest non-qualifier across all the heats. At the Grand Prix in 2022, he set up another national record with 8:16.21. In the same year, at Meeting International Mohamed VI in Rabat, Sable reached another national record with the timing of 8:12.48.
His best came during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he clinched a silver medal with his best timing of 8:11:20. He also became the first athlete since 1994 who was not from Kenya to win a medal in the men's 3000 meters steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games.
Avinash Sable's first gold medal came at the 2022 Asian Games. He also won a silver medal in the 5000 meters. His journey to his second Olympic appearance has not been easy. Sable would hope to perform at his best on the big stage and maintain the rhythm of breaking national records.
How did Avinash Sable qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?
Avinash Sable has been a consistent performer for India in the steeplechase. He had a major disappointment last year during the Budapest World Championships. However, the player bounced back well to be part of the Paris Olympics. His belief on the international stage grew strong post the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and since then, Sable has been eyeing the Olympics 2024.
The road to Paris went through the Silesia Diamond League last year for Avinash. He finished sixth and claimed his spot with a time of 8 minutes 11:63 seconds. Competing against the world's top steeplechasers was not easy for Sable, but he was motivated to do his best.
To focus on the Paris Olympics 2024, Sable also declined an invitation to this year's Paris Diamond League, which took place on July 7. It could have been a good opportunity for Sable to prepare for the big event but he chose not to take any risk and continued his preparation for the Olympics.