Panchkula (Haryana): A recognized name in his country but who has not yet proven himself to be one of the best athletes in the world, 3000m hurdles runner Avinash Sable wants to right the mistakes he has made in recent years and put on a show memorable at the next Paris Olympic Games with a different approach.
Having taken up running in 2015, Sable has broken national records almost at will in the past. She has also won a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
But the Paris Olympics could be the last chance for redemption on the world stage for Sable, who turns 30 in September. She will be approaching 34 at the next Olympics in the United States.
“I’ve made mistakes over the last two years. I had good form for the two World Championships (2022 and 2023), but I couldn’t do well at either. I want to make amends, and I hope these Olympic Games will be the best for me,” Sable said.
Sable, who won gold in the 3,000-meter hurdles at the National Interstate Championships here by running like he was in a practice session, has broken national records nine times.
But somehow he has failed to shine on the world stage except during the 2022 CWG where he broke Kenyans’ medal monopoly by winning a silver medal.
He finished 11th in the 3000m steeplechase final at the 2022 World Championships in the USA and was eliminated in the preliminary round heats at the 2023 edition in Hungary. His best performance in the prestigious series of five Diamond League Meetings was a fifth place finish.
“I contracted COVID-19 twice before the Tokyo Olympics. Then last year I made mistakes as well. Every year, I used to start my steeplechase season very early in April or May. But when I wanted to get a grip on myself at the last minute, I found myself unable to compete.
“That’s why this time I’m starting my competition season late. This time I’m doing it differently. I’ll start peaking only this month. If I start peaking early, people (competitors) will notice me.” “said Sable, who has a personal best of 8:11.20.
Before the National Interstate, Sable ran just one 3,000m steeplechase, at the Portland Track Festival on June 8 in the U.S., where she trains.
“I came here after a full training session and decided to run here as a kind of repeat. In the first kilometer I ran together with other runners. In the last laps, I accelerated a little, to about 75 or 80 percent of my maximum speed.
“At the Paris Diamond League on July 7, I may not give my all and reach my full potential, but I will have the opportunity to test myself for the Olympic Games.
“After that I would like to train at high altitude in Europe and then join the team on July 25. So the preparation has been very good.” He said that he was concentrating on the last kick and that he was able to test himself here during the race.
“The middle of the race is not difficult, but the last effort is important and necessary.” Asked about the two 5,000m and one 10,000m races she ran earlier this year, she said: “… my goal was not those events. It was just to compete.”
As for the world scene of the 3000m steeplechase, he said: “The steeplechase scene is quite good, there is Soufiane El Bakkali (from Morocco) and Lamecha Girma (from Ethiopia). But this year in the DL steeplechase races, so far I have not seen anything spectacular.
“It will be a technical race and I’m ready for it. Let’s see what happens.”
Published June 30, 2024, 10:22 a.m. IST
