Avinash Sable wins first-ever Gold for India in 3000m steeplechase; breaks Games record

Sable won the event with a timing of 8:19:50s, breaking the Games record along the way.

With Sable’s Gold, India secured the 12th Gold in the 19th Asian Games.

The athlete altered his energy-saving strategy in Hangzhou, the approach he employed at the Budapest World Championships, and went on to win the race with a massive distance.

As he neared the finish line, about 50 m away, Sable turned around to see no one close to him and ended the race in jubilation.

Sable, who won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, currently holds the national record in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 8 minutes 11.20 seconds. His best performance this season stands at 8:11.63, ranking him second among Asian athletes, just behind Japan's Miura Ryuji who has a season's best of 8:09.91.

In Hangzhou, alongside his specialty, the 3000m steeplechase, Sable will also participate in the 5000m race.