Picture Credit: X
Seasoned Indian athlete and current Asia champion in the 3,000m steeplechase, Avinash Sable came to the Monaco Diamond League in search of momentum for the Tokyo World Championships and hoping to keep his Diamond League final hopes alive. A national record holder of 8 minutes and 09.91 seconds, Sable finished 13th in the Xiamen Diamond League on April 16 and was eighth in Keqiao. With just one point from three meetings this season, it will be difficult for the 30-year-old to make it to the Finals, set to held on August 27-28 in Zurich, Switzerland.
But this time, Avinash Sable could not finish the race at the 3,000m steeplechase event at the Monaco Diamond League. The Indian athlete took a nasty fall during the water jump just over a minute into his run at the Stade Louis II Stadium on Friday, July 11. The athlete ahead of him lost balance and went down, causing Avinash to fall as well. Soon after the fall, he was seen clutching his lower thigh area just at the back of the knee forcing his withdrawal.
Days after his injury, Sable’s long time coach, Amrish Kumar finally opened up on the same. Speaking to PTI, he stated, “He has suffered a minor injury around the knee. He will take rest and be all right in one or two weeks at the maximum. It is not much to worry about.”
Avinash Sable is 18th in Diamond League standings this year
Sable was unable to put weight on his leg and was helped away, before being taken to a local medical centre for further assessment. Monaco Diamond League was Sable’s first event after winning the Asian steeplechase in May. He is 18th in the Diamond League standings thus far, with the next 3,000m steeplechase event scheduled at the Brussels Diamond League on August 22.
