Avinash Sable’s national record and the targets ahead

CHENNAI: Avinash Sable’s 3000m steeplechase national record progression has been remarkable. Since 2018 Open Nationals in Bhubaneswar, it reads 8:29.80s; 8:28.94s Federation Cup, March 2019 in Patiala; 8:25.23 in heats during the World Championships in October 2019 and then 8:21.37s in the final. And now 8:20.20s at the Federation Cup Athletics Championships in Patiala on Wednesday. Incidentally, this timing is the best of the season in the world right now.

Sable has been a quiet athlete who loves keeping to himself. His motivation on the track and steadfastness are some qualities that his coach Amrish Kumar admires. “Set a target and leave it to him.” Knowing the ability of his ward, the national record didn’t come as a surprise. “We were targeting somewhere between 8:18-20s,” Amrish told this daily from Patiala where he is in quarantine because of a positive Covid test.

In fact, though from distance, he made it a point to help Sable train in whatever way he could. “If we got competition the target was around 8:15s but if there is not much of competition then 8:18-20 would be fine. In our first race of the season, we were targeting 8:24s.” That’s one of the reasons why the coach wants Sable to get international exposure. He is also aware that at the worlds in 2019, 8:21.37s was good enough for a 13th finish in the final.  

But like all coaches, he also felt there were a couple of areas that needed work. “We are hoping to get a couple of international competitions around May-June at least where we would be looking to better the record.” Since this is the beginning of the season, the coach said Sable did not give his 100 per cent. “As the season progresses, he will improve his timing and start peaking around July,” said Amrish.  

Shot-putter Tejinderpal Toor had had a decent start to his season. He inched closer to the Olympic qualifying mark of 21.10m when he hurled the iron 20.58m. The thrower, who is expected to qualify, in fact, had thrown above 20m consistently.  Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra continued with his form setting a meet record with 87.80m. Full story: newindianexpress.com