India’s top hurdler Avinash Sable has admitted that he is still unsure about taking part in the 2026 Commonwealth Games as he is still recovering from a serious knee injury. The 30-year-old made it clear that he would rather miss the event than take part without being at his best.
Speaking to Sportstar, Sable stressed that full fitness remains his priority, especially with the Commonwealth Games fast approaching.
“If everything goes well, then I feel I can be in the form I was in (four years ago). But if everything doesn’t go well, if I’m not fully fit, then even if I qualify for the Indian team, I’d rather skip the Commonwealth Games. I don’t want to go to the Commonwealth Games just to participate,” said Sable.
He also provided an update on his recovery and current condition.
“I went back to training in January this year. Earlier this month I went to Ooty for some high altitude training but after that I felt a lot of tightness in my body. I felt I was lacking strength so I came to improve at IIS. I’m still not 100 per cent at the moment. I think I’m about 70-80 per cent of where I was,” he added.
Sable’s cautious approach reflects the long road back he has faced since his injury, with a focus on regaining peak fitness rather than rushing into competition.
HOW DID AVINASH SABEL GET INJURED?
Sable’s setback dates back to July 2025 during the Monaco Diamond League, where a fall during a race led to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his right knee.
The injury required surgery and a long rehabilitation, effectively disrupting his 2025 season. Since returning to training in January 2026, Sable has gradually built himself back up to competitive fitness, although he admits he is still short of his peak.
The difficulty was particularly evident in the steeplechase, where repeated landings after obstacles continued to cause discomfort and slow his progress.
WILL SABLE RUN IN ASIAN GAMES AND CWG?
Sable’s immediate goal is to assess whether she can reach competitive standards in time for this year’s main events. The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are scheduled from 23 July to 2 August, while the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will be held from 19 September to 4 October.
Four years ago, Sable made history by winning the silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Indian to do so. This performance has set a high bar that he is not willing to compromise.
For now, his involvement in Glasgow remains uncertain, with fitness and performance standards a priority. The Asian Games, with a slightly longer timeline, could offer a more realistic target if his recovery continues in the right direction.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
Apr 26, 2026 11:11 AM IST
