Avinash Sable made history by becoming the first Indian man to compete in the Olympics’ 3,000m steeplechase final. This incredible result adds to Sable’s already impressive resume, which includes a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Sable, a 29-year-old national record holder, has been a pioneer in Indian sports. He broke the Asian Games record in 8:19.50, giving India its first athletics gold medal in the event. His journey from humble beginnings in Maharashtra’s Beed region to the Olympic finals is inspirational. Sable, who was born on September 13, 1994, to a farming family, faced various hurdles, including having to run six kilometres to school every day owing to a lack of public transport.
His athletic career took off after he joined the Indian Army and discovered his sprinting prowess in 2015. Despite early failures, including a serious injury, Sable’s determination enabled him to break national records and surpass expectations. In 2023, he dominated the Diamond League series and won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games with a record-breaking performance.
His remarkable achievement in the Olympic finals, which follows a string of record-breaking performances, solidifies his standing as a pioneer in Indian athletics and gives hope to future Indian athletes in the global arena.
