Hangzhou: Avinash Sable won the gold medal in the mens 3000m steeplechase, the first ever top honour bagged by an Indian in the discipline at the Asiad.
Sable won the event with a timing of 8:19:50s, breaking the Games record along the way.
With Sables 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.
.@avinash3000m strikes #Gold?at #AsianGames2022 with a new #AsianGames Record ?
The ace #TOPSchemeAthlete clocked a time of 8:19.50 in Mens 3000m Steeplechase Event!
What a performance Avinash?! Heartiest Congratulations ??#Cheer4India#HallaBol#JeetegaBharat pic.twitter.com/fP9cPslmmW
SAI Media (@Media_SAI) October 1, 2023
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 Japans Miura Ryuji who has a seasons best of 8:09.91.
In Hangzhou, alongside his specialty, the 3000m steeplechase, Sable will also participate in the 5000m race.
