Avinash Sable, bound for the Olympics, will use the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon to assess her progress and hopes for more races

Archival image of steeplechase runner Avinash Sable.

It took a pandemic to slow down the meteoric progress of steeplechase racer Avinash Sable over the past two years.

In June 2018, Sable, a serviceman from the Beed district of Maharstahra, posted a time of 8:49.25 in the 3000m steeplechase event at the Guwahati Interstate Championships. But it took him just two months to cut the time down to 8: 29.80, becoming the first Indian to do a sub-8: 30.

It was at the National Open Athletics Championships in Bhuvneshwar that Sable accomplished the feat, breaking the national record of 37 years. The previous record was held by Gopal Saini, who had scored 8: 30.88 at the Asian Athletics Championships in 1981.

Progress continued from there as he broke the national record again at the Federation Cup in March 2019, scoring 8: 28.94 and qualifying for the World Championship.

At the World Cup, Sable broke the national record twice. First in the heats with a time of 8: 25.33 and then in the finals when he finished 13th, scoring 8: 21.27. In the process, Sable became the first Indian to qualify for the Olympics at the event since Gurzar Singh in 1952.

The focus was now entirely on dramatically improving the national record as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics approached. Sable knew his task was done. World Cup bronze medal winner Soufiane El Bakkali clocked 8: 03.76. The Indian middle distance runner had to improve his national record by at least 18-20 seconds to await a medal at the mega event in Tokyo.

His planned training trip to the United States in November was canceled due to sub-zero conditions in the state. Sable then went to Morocco to train with Rizqi Boubker despite some bureaucratic problems. After returning, he trained at Patiala before moving to Ooty in March this year to train at high altitude with Amrish coach Kumar.

The 26-year-old felt he was up for a good show at the Olympics. However, he was made to wait longer COVID-19 The pandemic engulfed the world, forcing organizers to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to next year.

“When I first heard about the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, I felt bad because I was ready for it,” says Sable. First comment.

However, army personnel who have served on the Siachen Glacier and on the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan soon realized that the postponement was a golden opportunity to improve their skills and fitness.

“After I qualified, there was less time available (to improve my performance) for the Olympics, but since the event was postponed, I am using it to improve basic aspects such as stamina, speed and technique. I have made a lot of improvements. on all fronts.

“My work has revolved around all aspects, whether it’s improving my endurance with long-distance running or improving my speed. Also for strength, training has been improved.”

Sable is now confident that he can improve his national record, but regrets not having the opportunity to participate in more competitions, which would help him evaluate the work he has put in practice and progress further.

“Now I can do much better than before on the track, as my physical condition has improved a lot. I feel like I can reach the time goal that I have set.”

“I have made a lot of progress in training and I feel confident, but I can only judge my progress after participating in competitions,” laments Sable.

In that sense, the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) 2020, which will take place on November 29, has been a respite for the athlete. While marathon running wasn’t on your immediate radar, the event gives you the opportunity to rub shoulders with international runners.

“The Airtel Delhi Half Marathon is going to be of great help. I have not participated in a competition for over a year, so the marathon would help me assess my progress. I just hope I can participate in more races,” says Sable.

The ADHM would pit Sable against defending Indian Elite Men’s champion Srinu Bugatha and would also see big-name runners like Andamlak Belihu, Abraham Cheroben and Guye Adola running in the marathon. Keeping the COVID-19 Concerns in mind, the race takes place within a biosecurity zone.

Speaking of the Olympics, Sable says the overwhelming challenge in front of him doesn’t intimidate him as it points to another flashy performance.

I will not go to the Olympics just to participate, I will go there hoping for a medal. I have a lot of time and I have trained hard, “says a confident Sable.