Avinash Sable advanced his preparations for the Asian Games with his first steeplechase gold in over a year
Avinash Sable marked his return to the 3000m steeplechase with a gold medal at the 2026 India Athletics Series Finals in New Delhi on Thursday as he ramps up his preparations to defend his title at the Asian Games.
The 31-year-old clocked 8:32.32 seconds at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in his first appearance at his favorite venue after a long injury lay-off. Sable remains the national record holder with a personal best of 8:09.91.
ASIAN GAMES 2026: FULL REPORT
His long absence began after an injury at last year’s Monaco Diamond Leaguewhere he crashed and damaged his ACL and meniscus while diving. The failure required surgery and put him out of action for more than a year.
Sable returned to competition in August, competing in the 5000m at the IFAM Oordegem meeting in Belgium. While his participation in the 3000m steeplechase at the upcoming Asian Games has been confirmed, the Athletics Federation of India has also asked the organizers to include him in the 5000m event.
Sable hopes to be able to compete in both events during the Asian Games.
“I have been training for both the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m. I hope to run in both at the Asian Games,” said Sable.
TANYA SETS A NATIONAL RECORD, ANIMESH BEATS GURINDERVIR
Tanya Chaudhary broke the national record in the women’s hammer throw in the Indian Athletics Series final on Thursday, while Avinash Sable made a triumphant return to the 3000m steeplechase after more than a year since the event.
The 22-year-old athlete from Uttar Pradesh produced a throw of 68.35m, surpassing the previous national mark of 67.02m held by fellow Uttar Pradesh native Anushka Yadav since June. Anushka finished second with a best of 66.34m.
Both Tanya and Anushka have been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming Asian Games.
Odisha’s sprinter Animesh Kujur emerged as the fastest athlete of the race, winning gold in the men’s 100 meters with a time of 10.21 seconds. Punjab’s national record holder Gurindervir Singh finished second with a time of 10.32 seconds.
Rohit Yadav won the men’s javelin title with a best throw of 81.10m, while Rajasthan’s Yashvir Singh, bronze medalist at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, finished third with 80.40m. Defending Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor also excelled in the men’s shot put, posting 20.64m.
The finals of the Indian Athletics Series served as a key warm-up event for the athletes heading to the Asian Games. Almost all members of the 77-member Indian athletics contingent competed, with long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, high jumper Sarvesh Kushare and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel among the notable absentees.
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Published on:
10 Sep 2026 22:38 IST