Avinash Sable, India’s national record holder in the 3000m steeplechase, concluded his Diamond League season with a ninth-place finish at the final in Brussels. He clocked a time of 8:17.09, falling short of the podium but securing a respectable position in a highly competitive field. The race was won by Kenya’s Amos Serem (8:06.90), with Morocco’s Soufianne El Bakkali finishing second (8:08:60) and Tunisia’s Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui taking third (8:09.68).
Sable’s journey to the final was a testament to his perseverance. He initially ranked 14th in the overall Diamond League standings, but four athletes ahead of him – Lamecha Girma (injured) of Ethiopia, Geordie Beamish of New Zealand, Ryuji Mura of Japan, and Hillary Bor of the USA – withdrew from the competition, paving the way for Sable to compete in the season finale.
Earlier in the season, Sable had achieved a significant milestone by setting a new national record of 8:09.91 at the Paris leg of the Diamond League on July 7, securing a sixth-place finish. He subsequently competed in the Silesia leg on August 25, finishing 14th with a time of 8:29.96.
Sable’s impressive performance in Brussels follows his participation in the Paris Olympics 2024, where he finished 11th in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final with a time of 8:14.18. Despite falling short of his personal best, Sable continues to be a prominent figure in Indian athletics, showcasing his dedication and talent on the international stage.
