Avinash Sable on Saturday became the first non-Kenyan to win a medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games since 1994. The Kenyans have won every steeplechase race at the last 10 CWG editions, claiming all the spots on the podium. Sable entered the Kenyan bastion and came out with a silver medal.
He also set a national record with a timing of 8:11.20, which is his personal best, finishing second behind Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot, who took gold at 8:11.15, nearly ending the race in a photo finish as he tapped into some unknown reserves of energy to produce a brilliant kick, literally finishing on the heels of Kibiwot. Kenya’s Amos Serem won the bronze medal in 8:16.83 seconds.
Though he claimed the silver, Sable was not happy with his last lap and said it could have been better.
“My last lap was a bit disappointing, but I’m really happy because it is a long (time) since India won a long-distance medal,” he later told the reporters.
Sable completed his first 1000m in 2 minutes, 40.5 seconds and the second in 2:47.2 while the third too was slightly slower at 2:43.4.
