Avinash Sable hopes to leave injuries, poor form behind, get close to 8-minute mark at World Championships

A mixed 2024 and a less than satisfactory 2025 so far not withstanding, Avinash Sable is focussed on improving both his performance and position at the World Championships later this year.

He set a new national record of 8:09.91 in July last year but constantly struggled with injuries that affected his form and competitive exposure. Currently training at the Sports Authority of India’s Southern Centre here with coach Kalyan Chaudhuri, Sable said that things were much better now.

“I had to struggle a lot because of injuries last season. I had a calf injury and a lot of recurring pain in my right calf and hamstring. It had started after the Asian Games in 2023 and continued till earlier this year. There was little training but I participated in two Diamond League events in China (Xiamen and Shanghai) despite that because I wanted to test myself. The results weren’t good but I was not surprised. Then I competed in the Asian Championship and now preparations are going well, there is no pain,” he told select mediapersons during an interaction here on Friday.

Sable, who ended his association with American coach Scott Simmons to train at home earlier this year, is looking to train abroad, possibly Morocco, and participate in two more Diamond League events including Monaco and domestic competitions before heading to the World Championships in September.

“I compete in two events but at world level participate in only one. This year I have focussed on the 3000m steeplechase but after the Worlds I will focus on the 5000m also. I will also be participating in 1500m in July-August to improve speed. I will not leave 5000m,” he declared.

His season’s best of 8:20.92 at the Asian Championships last month is far from expectations but Sable is confident of getting closer to the elusive eight-minute mark through the rest of the season. Only 13 men have ever gone under eight, only one from Asia – Qatar’s Saif Saaeed Shaheen in 2004.

“Timing is important but at major competitions, position is equally important. My target for the World Championships is to get close to my personal best and the eight-minute mark, if not break it and minutes. But I also want to improve my position from last time (he finished a disappointing 7th in his heat in 2023). I have worked on my finishing, mileage etc,” he said.