Avinash Sable

Avinash Mukund Sable, is a renowned Indian track and field athlete who specializes in the 3000 meters steeplechase. Avinash has consistently set and broken national records in his discipline, with his most recent accomplishment being a national record time of 8:09.91 at the 2024 Paris Diamond League, where he finished in the 6th position. This was the tenth occasion he set a national record. 

Hailing from Mandwa in the Beed district of Maharashtra, Avinash's early life was marked by a daily 6 km journey on foot between his home and school. After completing his schooling, he joined the Indian Army's 5 Mahar regiment, serving in challenging environments like the Siachen Glacier, the deserts of north-western Rajasthan, and Sikkim. 

It was during his army tenure that he first ventured into cross-country running in 2015, eventually transitioning to the steeplechase under the guidance of trainer Amrish Kumar.

Initially overweight, he shed 20 kg in just three months to join the national camp. Although he initially trained under Nikolai Snesarev, he returned to coach Amrish Kumar in 2018, seeking a training regimen better suited to his needs. 

Despite an ankle injury preventing him from qualifying for the 2018 Asian Games, Avinash shattered a 37-year-old national record later that year at the National Open Championships in Bhubaneswar.

In 2019, Avinash has set multiple national records and became the first Indian male steeplechaser to qualify for the World Championships since 1991. 

His performance at the World Championships in Doha was particularly noteworthy; despite being tripped twice during the heats, he set a new national record and became the first Indian to reach the steeplechase final at the World Championships.

Avinash continued to break his own records in the following years, including a remarkable run at the 2020 Delhi Half Marathon, where he completed the race in under 61 minutes. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, he set another national record of 8:18.12, narrowly missing out on the finals. His 2022 season was marked by two more national records and a historic silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, where he was the first non-Kenyan to medal in the event since 1994.

In addition to his steeplechase achievements, Avinash also excelled in cross-country, finishing 35th at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. At the 2022 Asian Games, he made history by winning India's first gold medal in the steeplechase and a silver in the 5000 meters.