Annu Rani of the Asian Games team; returning from injury Avinash Sable seals the 3000m steeplechase

Annu Rani (Image credit: X)Annu Rani (Image credit: X)Annu Rani (Image credit: X)Annu Rani (Image credit: X)Annu Rani (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Hangzhou Asian Games gold medalist Anna Rani has lost her place in India’s Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games squad after failing to meet the qualifying standard in women’s javelin, TOI has reliably learnt.The development came on the heels of the Indian Athletics Final Series at the JLN Stadium on Thursday, where the Asian Games-bound athletes assessed their form, fitness and injury status and looked for a last chance to achieve a qualifying mark.Annu won the gold with a throw of 57.50m but fell 12cm short of the Games qualifying standard of 57.62m. Sources said the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) made it clear to the athletes ahead of the event that the qualifying standards must be met.“Anyone who does not meet the qualifying standard will not be sent to the Asian Games. That has been the clear stand of the AFI. So if Annu Rani does not qualify, she will not go. Those who do not make the grade will not be part of the contingent,” AFI planning committee chairman Lalit K Bhanot told TOI.In contrast, Avinash Sable delivered when it mattered most. After an injury-enforced layoff of 14 months, the 31-year-old returned to his specialist 3000m steeplechase, clocking 8:32.39 to win gold and equal the qualifying standard of 8:36.57.Sable, who underwent ACL surgery and a meniscus injury after tripping while diving during last year’s Monaco Diamond League, is now set to defend his steeplechase title at the Asian Games.TOI has learned that his entry in the men’s 5000m has also been accepted by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) through the Games organizers, paving the way for him to participate in the two events. “He will compete in both the events. We have discussed his participation in the 5000m with the Games organizers and it has been cleared,” Bhanot said. “If Sable hadn’t qualified for the 3000m steeplechase here, he wouldn’t have been in the event,” he added.Meanwhile, Hangzhou Games 100m hurdles silver medalist Jyothi Yarraji, CWG high jump medalist Sarvesh Anil Kushare and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel have been asked to submit fitness certificates before the trip. All three are coming back from injury and need to get fit. Failure to present the certificates could jeopardize their participation in the Games.In Thursday’s meet, hammer thrower Tanya Chaudhary set the only national record with a throw of 68.35m. Ancy Sojan won the long jump with 6.76m while Tajinderpal Singh Toor won gold in the shot put with 20.64m.