Avinash Sable

Avinash Mukund Sable is an Indian track and field athlete who specializes in 3000m steeplechase. In July 2023, Avinash Sable became the first Indian track athlete to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Age: 29

DOB: Sep 13, 1994

Sport: Athletics

Birthplace: Mandwa

Tournament
Olympics000
World Championships000
Asian Championships010
Commonwealth Games010
Asian Games110

Early Life and Background

Born in Maharashtra’s Beed district, Avinash Mukund Sable grew up in a family of modest means. Both his parents were farmers, and he went through a lot of hardships, even having to run six kilometres each day to reach his school as public transportation was not available. He never harboured any sporting ambitions growing up and made up his mind early to join the army in order to provide for his family.

Avinash Sable was recruited in the Indian army after finishing his 12th grade and was part of the 5 Mahar regiment. He was posted in Siachen, Rajasthan, and Sikkim. Within his first two years of service, he survived two climatic extremes. While Siachen’s temperatures dipped in the negatives regularly, Rajasthan’s desert swathes took it up to 50 degrees.

It was only in 2015 that Avinash Sable learned anything about sports running, having joined the army’s athletics programme. He was initially chosen for the cross country competitions, and his talent soon became apparent.

Major Achievements:

  • National record in men’s 3000m steeplechase – 8:11.20
  • National record in men’s half marathon – 1:00:30s
  • Personal best in men’s 5000m – 13:19.30s
  • Gold medal in men’s 3000m steeplechase – Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games
  • First Indian to qualify for Olympics in 3000m steeplechase in 68 years
  • 2022: Arjuna Award – India’s second-highest award for sportspersons

Qualifying Events

As stated earlier, Avinash Sable became the first Indian track athlete to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics after finishing sixth with his second career-best time in the Silesia Diamond League meet here. The 28-year-old Sable clocked 8 minute 11:63 seconds, just outside his national record time of 8:11.20, but that breached the Paris Olympics qualifying mark of 8:15.00 by a fair margin.

Olympics
4 months

Events at Paris Olympics 2024

Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Schedule

DateRoundsVenue
5 August (19:04 PM IST)Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Round 1Stade de France
7 August (21.40 PM IST)Men’s 3000m Steeplechase FinalStade de France

Quotes and Interviews

Sable has already achieved a great deal, but he has the potential to achieve even more in the years to come. Sable is one of the favorites to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he is also expected to challenge for the world title in the 3000 meters steeplechase in the coming years.

Conclusion

If Sable puts his best foot forward, and goes in with a solid strategy for the finals, he might be in for a surprise medal. But it goes without saying, to get a medal, he will have to do considerably better than his personal best.

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