Avinash Sable: Record-Breaking Runner Defying Limits

Avinash Mukund Sable, born on September 13, 1994, in Mandwa, Beed district of Maharashtra, has become one of India’s most celebrated long-distance runners.

avinash sable


Avinash Mukund Sable, born on September 13, 1994, in Mandwa, Beed district of Maharashtra, has become one of India’s most celebrated long-distance runners. Specializing in the 3000m steeplechase, he has consistently shattered records and redefined Indian athletics on the global stage. His story is one of perseverance, discipline, and an indomitable spirit.

Date of BirthSeptember 13, 1994
Place of BirthMandwa, Beed district, Maharashtra, India
EducationCompleted 12th grade; further training through the Indian Army
AssociationsIndian Army (5 Mahar Regiment); JSW Sports; Fast&Up (brand endorsements)
Age30 years (as of 2024)
Nicknames
EpithetsTrailblazer in Indian Athletics
Prominent AcchivementsSilver medal in 2022 Commonwealth Games (3000m steeplechase)Gold medal in 2023 Asian Games (3000m steeplechase; set Games record)Multiple national records in the 3000m steeplechase, with the latest being 8:09.91 (2024 Paris Diamond League)First Indian male steeplechaser to qualify for the finals at the World Championships (2019)National record in the 5000m event (13:25.65, 2022)Record-breaking performance in the Delhi Half Marathon (2020)
Height1.83 meters
HometownMandwa, Maharashtra, India
ReligionHindi
Avinash Sable Instagram@vinash__sable

Born into a family of farmers, Sable’s early life was marked by hardships. From the age of six, he would walk or run six kilometers daily to attend school, as his village lacked transport facilities. While in junior college, he worked on brick kilns and construction sites to support his family. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his commitment to improving his circumstances.

After completing his 12th grade, Sable joined the Indian Army in the 5 Mahar regiment. His postings exposed him to extreme climates, from the icy terrains of Siachen to the scorching deserts of Rajasthan. These experiences forged his physical endurance and mental toughness, qualities that would later define his athletic career.

  • Avinash Sable Cast: Avinash Sable Indian Army hails from a Maharashtrian family.
  • Avinash Sable Wife: Currently there is little information in the public domain on Sable and his status as a married man or indeed if he is still a married man.
  • Avinash Sable Height: He measures 1.83 meters in height and this augers well with him especially on occasions such as the steeple chase.
  • Avinash Sable Shoes: Sable used expensive shoes for running and he wore shoes for distance running and steeple chasing though the brand and the model of the shoes may differ with time.

The estimated net worth of Avinash Sable as of June 2024 is approximately $200,000/ INR 1.66 crore. Most of his income is generated from the sports lifestyle and national rewards. He currently uses JSW Sports and Fast&Up brands.

Sable’s entry into professional athletics began in 2015 when his colleagues encouraged him to participate in inter-army cross-country running. Initially overweight, he lost 20 kg in three months and began competing seriously. His potential was noticed by army coach Amrish Kumar, who introduced him to the steeplechase. Recognizing his strength and endurance, Kumar believed Sable was a natural fit for the event.

  • Discovery of Talent: In 2015, Sable’s colleagues encouraged him to participate in inter-army cross-country running. Initially overweight, he lost 20 kg in three months and began competing seriously.
  • Introduction to Steeplechase: Recognizing his strength and endurance, army coach Amrish Kumar introduced Sable to the 3000m steeplechase, believing it was a natural fit for him.

Sable’s rise in athletics was meteoric. In 2018, he broke Gopal Saini’s 37-year-old national steeplechase record with a time of 8:29.80 at the National Open Championships in Bhubaneswar. This marked the beginning of his record-breaking streak. Over the years, he has set and reset the national record multiple times, with his latest mark being 8:09.91 at the 2024 Paris Diamond League.

Sable’s achievements include:

  • 2019 World Athletics Championships: Became the first Indian male steeplechaser to reach the finals, breaking the national record twice in the process.
  • 2020 Summer Olympics: Set a national record of 8:18.12, the fastest time by a non-qualifier in the heats.
  • 2022 Commonwealth Games: Won a silver medal with a time of 8:11.20, becoming the first non-Kenyan to medal in the event since 1994.
  • 2023 Asian Games: Secured gold in the 3000m steeplechase with a Games record of 8:19.50 and silver in the 5000m event.
Also read about Aditi Ashok – Her Journey, Achievements, and Road to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Avinash Sable, who hails from a poor family in Himachal Pradesh, and today, is set to become one of the biggest track and field athletes in the country and the Indian Army has played a crucial role.

  • Born in a village in Maharashtra, Sable had no idea that things could turn in this direction, and after completing 12th standard, he joined the Indian Army. Thus, the harsh training and highly disciplined lifestyle characteristic of the army’s core values of perseverance, diligence, and commitment were inculcated in him.
  • The assimilation of this designation was characterized by rigorous first-tour responsibilities in harsh climates. Sub-zero temperatures at Siachen and then the heat of the desert in Rajasthan-Sable still stand tall and prove that one is not a man of twain.
  • But all these experiences helped to shape the young man as well as equipped him for the life he was going to live.
  • At this stage, it was also realized that Sable was a sportsman capable of representing the army.
  • He was chosen for cross-country events and immediately started to demonstrate great ability and sheer strength.
  • He performed very well in national-level games with little training and logistical support, joining the Indian Army athletic team.

There was a major blow in the form of injury and the consequent increase in size and weight. Others have doubted his readiness to return to the sport but Sable never strayed far from his goal. He did not take long when make efforts to come back to fitness again and drop the excess pounds.

One day he got noticed by another professional Amrish Kumar. Because Kumar appreciated Sable’s all-round qualities of strength, stamina, and mental resilience, the switch to steeplechase was proposed. Fortunately, this decision turned out to be strategic and evolutionary.

By garnering focused training and implicit belief, Sable was able to climb the ladder of Indian athletics at a very early pace. He set national records, competed for India internationally, and gained the admiration of millions of people around the world.

The story of Avinash Mukund Sable success story who went from a village in Maharashtra to International stardom inspires millions. This hard-working, determined, and passionate man is still moving forward towards even more achievements.

Sable has exhibited a strong, consistent, and focused sports personality throughout his sports career. Ranging from his days in the army to being an international sportsman Sable has constantly been shattering records, the national records inclusive of course.

Although, steeplechase is the specialty of Sable he has also made formidable performances in other long-distance racing events. In 2022, he set a new national record in the 5000m event, clocking 13:25.65, which was a record done three decades ago. His performance keeps on changing in the 5000m event and again the ability shows that he is more of a long-distance runner.

Sable tasted Olympic competition for the first time at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where he became the first Indian male steeplechaser since 1999 to compete in the Olympic Games. While he did not reach the finals, his performance in the heats, with a national record of 8:18.12, was a record-breaking year for India in the steeplechase category.

Sable has performed great across different competitions as revealed by his success profile below. His engagements are a combination of both national and international level events, and important ones include; the Federation Cup, the Diamond League, and the World Athletics Championships. Such events have kept on enhancing his national record and up to now, he is still a relevant athlete in the 3000m steeplechase.

If we take into consideration the final match time in several of the events he participated in then Sable has certainly been impressive. His best performance in the 3000m steeplechase is 8:09.91 at the 2024 Paris Diamond League where he also set a new national record. Boyle is always challenging himself and goes out of his way to create new records every time he competes.

This year’s major highlight for Sable is the 3000m steeplechase, which is where he has pushed Indian athletics beyond any limit it has ever imagined. In 2018, he broke the national record, and since then, he has improved it multiple times, setting the latest national record of 8:09.91 in 2024. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he clinched a silver medal while at the year 2023 Asian Games, he had a gold medal in steeplechase.

Sable has taken part in a number of these circuits and one cannot help but marvel at the performance of the guy in the 3000m steeplechase. Every match has been a step forward in the development of his skills and further enhancement of his times making him a renowned ranked among the best in the world.

Sable’s medal tally includes several significant achievements: including a silver medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in 3000 meters steeplechase, a gold medal in the 2023 Asian Games in the steeplechase, and multiple national championships. His performances have placed India on the world map of athletics, especially in the steeplechase event.

In 2020, Sable set a national record in the Delhi Half Marathon, completing the race in 1:00:30. This achievement made him the only Indian to have the half marathon and the performance in a time of less than sixty-one minutes to be more special and he broke records again.

Sable’s crowning achievement came at the 2023 Asian Games, where he won the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase, setting a new Games record with a time of 8:19.50. This was one of the biggest achievements in his sporting career and it put him amongst India’s most legendary sportsmen.

Besides the 3000m steeplechase, other distance disciplines include; the half marathon race in which Sable has also distinguished himself well.

At the moment, Sable has his sights set on the next season to be held in Paris 2024 Olympics, to record more success. His aim is to win a medal in the 3000m steeplechase after he made history by qualifying for the event.

The 3000m steeplechase has remained Sable’s specialty, a race in which he has set records and written history. Kalyan’s story has been one of progress, and the pursuit of the unattainable in Indian athletics.

He is already planning for the 2024 edition of the Paris Olympics with the intention of consolidating himself as one of the best steeplechase athletes in the world. His athletic journey should be followed in the Olympics because he will still be chasing records and medals.

Sable has seen his growth as an athlete as his last match performances in various events are a clear indication. Due to the commitment he has developed, he has become one of the world’s leading long-distance runners.

Avinash Sable Indian Army, has set and broken multiple records throughout his career. His current national record in the 3000m steeplechase stands at 8:09.91, a time he set at the Paris Diamond League in 2024.

Avinash Sable then held and broke records of flying many times in his career. His current national record in the 3000m steeplechase stands at 8:09.91, a time he set at the Paris Diamond League in 2024.

Sable’s next encounter will be an important set of fights in the summer of 2024 in the Paris Olympics with the aim of fighting for the medal. His performance in the Olympic Games will be the summation of his efforts, commitment, practice, and determination.

Sable has consistently improved his national record in the 3000m steeplechase, setting the latest record of 8:09.91 in 2024. His journey in the steeplechase continues to inspire the nation and the world.

In 2017, Avinash Sable began making waves in athletics:

  • He won 5th place in the Federation Cup.
  • Some months later at the Chennai Open Nationals, he came within 9 seconds of breaking the national record in the 3000m steeplechase.

After he moved closer to the record, the hater emerged again to question his prospects.

  • Steeplechase is a very tactful race, especially for the horses. I have been advised severally that it was impossible for me to break this record in India since no one is capable of laying down a competitive pace. Thus, I had to pace myself,” Sable said during an interview with ESPN.

Despite setbacks, Sable made a remarkable comeback At the 2018 Open Nationals in Bhubaneswar, he clocked 8:29.88, erasing a thirty-year-old national record by a woollen 0.12 seconds.

  • It was the previous record held by Gopal Saini in the previous year when he undertook his record pioneering during the 1981 Asian Championships in Tokyo.

Not everything was smooth for Sable even after his record-breaking feat:

  • He suffers from the stern style of training that Russian-born Nikolai Snesarev adopted when training him.
  • Unsatisfied with the coaching style of Snesarev, Sable thought of leaving the sport.

As for a happier ending, Sable did not quit Instead he decided to distance himself from Snesarev and got back with his old trainer Amrish Kumar, who knew him well enough to realize that the boxer’s style is aggressive.
Together, they focused on:

  • Resistance training of the client for increasing the stamina and velocities.
  • Practice in different weather to make events of different regions.

The renewed partnership bore fruit. At the 2019 Federation Cup in Patiala, Sable broke his own record, clocking 8:28.Seid Tiku achieved 94, just 0.01 sec faster than he had done earlier.

  • This made him eligible to run at the IAAF World Championships in Doha making him the first Indian male steeplechaser to run at the world championships since Deena Ram back in 1991.

Bagged his first international medal a silver at the championship held in Doha.

  • Sable became a part of Indian athletics folklore:
  • He broke his own national record twice in the comp.
  • Bettered his timing by three seconds in the heats but, at first, failed to make it to the final because a fellow competitor blocked him on the track.
  • Fortunately for him, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) formally appealed the obstruction to have him participate and he was able to contest the final.
  • In the final, Sable clocked 8:21.37, which once again improved his time and ranking, to 13 in the country.

The performance saw him secure his place for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He was the first qualifier for the Olympic steeplechase since Gulzara Singh Mann in 1999 making him the first Indian steeplechaser to do so.

Avinash Sable’s legacy is still being written, but he has already cemented his place as one of India’s finest athletes. His story is a source of pride and inspiration for millions, proving that with dedication and resilience, no dream is too distant.

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