Avinash Sable: 5 things to know about India’s steeplechase champion

Avinash Sable made history by becoming the first Indian man to secure a gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase event at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Sable shattered the previous Asian Games record, finishing the race in 8 minutes and 19.50 seconds. The previous record of 8 minutes and 22.79 seconds was held by Iran's Hossein Keyhani from the 2018 Asian Games.

Avinash Sable's personal life

Avinash Sable comes from a small village in Maharashtra and has grown up in a family of farmers. However, due to the drought-prone area in his town, his family always struggled to earn decent money which made him run every day 12 km to school.

An Army recruit

After his intermediate education, the Indian athlete joined the Indian army, became a part of the 5 Mahar Regiment and served in different parts of the country including Siachen, Rajasthan and Sikkim.

Avinash Sable's inspiration to enter sports

The Indian skipper got inspired to join the sport during his encounter with the 2016 Olympics, which was hosted in Rio. Avinash kept a closer look at all the sports and the whole event through television while serving for the Indian Army in Rajasthan.

Avinash Sable's earlier records

In 2020 at the Delhi Half Marathon, he accomplished a record for running in less than 61 minutes. In the same year during the 2020 Summer Olympics, Avinash came 7th by finishing in 8:18:12. Meanwhile, at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, the athlete finished 35th among 100 athletes in the 10km distance.

Avinash Sable's latest record

Also Read: Avinash Sable creates history: 1st Indian man to win 3000m steeplechase Gold, breaks Asian Games record   

Avinash's latest record marks historical as Indian track and field athlete secured a gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase event recently at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.