National record holder Avinash Sable’s Diamond League debut ended with a ninth-place finish in the season-ending final on Friday. The 30-year-old steeplechaser clocked a below-par 8:17.09 in Zurich, Switzerland.
Sable, who celebrated his birthday on the day of the race, had qualified for the final after finishing 14th in the overall Diamond League standings. However, four athletes ranked higher than him withdrew, allowing him to sneak into the top 10 cut-off.
The Kenyan duo of Amos Serem and reigning Olympic and world champion Soufiane El Bakkali dominated the race, finishing first and second with times of 8:06.90 and 8:08.60, respectively. Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui of Tunisia took third place in 8:09.68.
Sable’s performance was a disappointment considering his recent form. He had set a national record of 8:09.91 in the Paris leg of the Diamond League in July. However, he struggled in the Silesia leg, finishing 14th with a time of 8:29.96.
Despite his ninth-place finish, Sable’s qualification for the Diamond League final is a testament to his progress in recent years. He finished 11th in the Paris Olympic Games last year and has consistently improved his personal best.
World champion and Paris Olympics silver medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will be in action in the Diamond League final on Saturday. Chopra is the reigning Diamond League champion and will be looking to defend his title.
