Avinash Sable scripts new record to book ticket to Tokyo

NEW DELHI: Runner Avinash Sable set a new national record in the men's 3000m steeplechase event in the Federation Cup at Patiala to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

Avinash, who is 26 years old, clocked a time of 8:20.20 minutes, smashing his own record, which he had set in 2019.

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In 2019, the qualifying time for the Olympics was 8:22.00, and Sable set a new national record by finishing in 8:21.37 minutes.

Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated Avinash on his Twitter handle: “Congratulations to Avinash Sable for creating another national record! Avinash has already qualified for Tokyo Olympics. He set a new national record in men’s 3000m steeplechase with a timing of 8:20.20 at the Federation Cup in Patiala. He broke his own record of 8:21.37.”

Sable smashed the 37-year-old national record of 8:30.88 held by Gopal Saini by clocking 8:29.80 at the 2018 National Open Championships in Bhubaneswar after failing to qualify for the 2018 Asian Games due to an ankle injury. In March 2019, at the Federation Cup in Patiala, he set a new national record of 8:28.94, qualifying him for the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships and 2021 World Championships.