Panchkula (Haryana), a reputed name at home but yet to prove himself as one of the best globally, 3,000m steeplechase runner Avinash Sable wants to right the wrongs he has committed in the last few years and offer a memorable spectacle 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.
But the Paris Olympics could be the last chance at redemption on the world stage for Sable, who turns 30 in September. He will be approaching 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 in the two world championships (2022 and 2023), but I couldn't do well in both. I want to make amends, I hope these Olympics will be the best." Sable said.
Sable, who won gold in the 3,000-meter hurdles at the National Interstate Championships here while running like he was in a practice session, has broken national records nine times.
But he somehow 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 3000 m 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 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.
Before the National Interstate, Sable ran just one 3,000m steeplechase event, at the Portland Track Festival on June 8 in the US, where he trains.
"I came here after a full training session and that's why I decided to run here as a kind of repeat. In the first kilometer I just ran along with the others. In the last few laps I pushed myself a little, let's say 75 to 80 percent of my capacity. 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 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 push is important and necessary."
When asked about the two 5,000m and one 10,000m races he had earlier this year, he said: "...my focus wasn't on those events. It was just to compete."
On the global 3,000m steeplechase scene, he said: "The steeplechase field is pretty good, there's Soufiane El Bakkali (from Morocco) and Lamecha Girma (from Ethiopia). But this year in the 3,000m steeplechase races DL obstacles, I haven't seen anything spectacular so far.
"It will be a technical race and I am prepared for it. Let's see what happens."
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.
But the Paris Olympics could be the last chance at redemption on the world stage for Sable, who turns 30 in September. He will be approaching 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 in the two world championships (2022 and 2023), but I couldn't do well in both. I want to make amends, I hope these Olympics will be the best." Sable said.
Sable, who won gold in the 3,000-meter hurdles at the National Interstate Championships here while running like he was in a practice session, has broken national records nine times.
But he somehow 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 3000 m 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 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.
Before the National Interstate, Sable ran just one 3,000m steeplechase event, at the Portland Track Festival on June 8 in the US, where he trains.
"I came here after a full training session and that's why I decided to run here as a kind of repeat. In the first kilometer I just ran along with the others. In the last few laps I pushed myself a little, let's say 75 to 80 percent of my capacity. 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 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 push is important and necessary."
When asked about the two 5,000m and one 10,000m races he had earlier this year, he said: "...my focus wasn't on those events. It was just to compete."
On the global 3,000m steeplechase scene, he said: "The steeplechase field is pretty good, there's Soufiane El Bakkali (from Morocco) and Lamecha Girma (from Ethiopia). But this year in the 3,000m steeplechase races DL obstacles, I haven't seen anything spectacular so far.
"It will be a technical race and I am prepared for it. Let's see what happens."
