Avinash Sable

Avinash Mukund Sable, born on September 13, 1994, has emerged as a prominent figure in Indian athletics, specializing in the 3000 meters steeplechase. His remarkable journey in this discipline saw him setting the national record at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with a time of 8:11.20, earning a silver medal. Notably, this achievement marked the ninth time he broke the national record. Growing up in Mandwa, a small village in Maharashtra, Sable's early life was defined by his daily 6 km run to school. After completing his 12th grade, he joined the Indian Army's 5 Mahar regiment. His postings included challenging locations like the Siachen Glacier, the deserts of Rajasthan, and Sikkim. 

Sable's foray into professional running began in 2015 when he participated in inter-army cross country running, encouraged by his colleagues. Initially overweight, he underwent a rigorous transformation, losing 20 kg in three months.

His career took a significant turn in 2018. Despite an ankle injury hindering his qualification for the 2018 Asian Games, he broke the 37-year-old national record by clocking 8:29.80 at the National Open Championships in Bhubaneswar. He continued to surpass his records, setting a new national time of 8:28.94 at the Federation Cup in Patiala in March 2019, which qualified him for the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships and World Athletics Championships. His participation marked the first time an Indian male steeplechaser had qualified for the World Championships since Deena Ram in 1991.

At his international debut in the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships in Doha, Sable clinched a silver medal with a time of 8:30.19. Later in the world championships, despite accidental tripping during the heats, he finished with a time of 8:25.23, leading to his inclusion in the final after a successful appeal. He finished 13th in the final with an improved national record of 8:21.37, securing his qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Sable continued to excel, setting a new national record in the 2020 Delhi Half Marathon with a sub-61-minute finish. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, he placed seventh in the heats with a national record of 8:18.12, though he did not qualify for the finals. In 2022, Sable's momentum continued with two more national records, first at the Indian Grand Prix (8:16.21), followed by an 8:12.48 performance at the Meeting International Mohamed VI in Rabat, achieving his highest Diamond League rank.

His silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with a record time of 8:11.20, marked a historic moment as it was the first time an athlete from outside Kenya won a medal in the men's 3000 meters steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games since 1994. He continued to shine at the 2022 Asian Games, where he won India's first gold medal in the steeplechase and a silver in the 5000 meter event.

Sable's journey from a village in Maharashtra to becoming a national record holder and an international medalist in athletics is a remarkable testament to his dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent.