Panchkula (Haryana), June 30 (PTI) A recognized name in his country but yet to prove himself as one of the best athletes in the world, 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable wants to make amends for the mistakes he has made in recent years and offer a memorable show at the next Olympic Games in Paris with a different approach.
Having started running in 2015, Sable has broken national records almost at will in the past. He has also won a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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But the Paris Olympics could be the last chance at redemption on the world stage for Sable, who turns 30 in September. She will approach 34 years old at the next Olympic Games in the United States.
“I made mistakes in the last two years. I had been in good form at the two world championships (2022 and 2023), but I couldn’t do well at both. I want to make amends, I hope these Olympics will be the best,” Sable said.
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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, she has failed to shine at the world level, except during the 2022 CWG, where she broke the Kenyans’ medal monopoly by winning a silver.
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 five-series Diamond League Meeting has been a fifth place.
“I contracted COVID-19 twice before the Tokyo Olympics. Then last year I also made mistakes. Every year, I used to start my steeplechase season very early in April or May. But when I wanted to control 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.
Prior to the National Inter-State, Sable has run just one 3000m steeplechase: at the Portland Track Festival on June 8 in the US, 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 Diamond League in Paris on July 7, I may not do everything I can to reach my peak, 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 he was concentrating on the last kick and was able to test himself here during the race.
“The middle of the race is not difficult, but the last push is important and necessary.”
Asked about the two 5000m and one 10,000m races she ran earlier this year, she said: “…my goal wasn’t those events. It was just to compete a bit.”
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 prepared for it. We’ll see what happens.”
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