National record holder Avinash Sable will make history as the first Indian to compete in the Diamond League Final in the 3000m steeplechase event. The season-ending event will be held in Brussels on September 13, and Sable will join star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra in representing India.
Sable earned his spot in the final despite finishing 14th in the overall Diamond League standings with three points. However, four athletes ranked higher than him have withdrawn from the event, including Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia, Geordie Beamish of New Zealand, Ryuji Mura of Japan, and Hillary Bor of the USA.
The 29-year-old Sable has had a remarkable season, setting a new national record of 8:09.91 in the Paris leg of the Diamond League on July 7. He also finished 14th at the Silesia leg with a time of 8:29.96 on August 25.
Sable’s performance at the Paris Games was disappointing, as he finished 11th with a time of 8:14.18. However, he made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the Olympic final in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
Chopra, a two-time Olympic medalist, also qualified for the DL final after finishing fourth in the overall standings. He accumulated 14 points from his two second-place finishes in the one-day meets held in Doha and Lausanne.
The Diamond League Final is a prestigious event, with the winner receiving a Diamond Trophy, $30,000 prize money, and a wild card for the World Athletics Championships. The runner-up will receive $12,000, and the prize money decreases for each subsequent place.
Sable and Chopra’s participation in the Diamond League Final is a testament to their exceptional talent and hard work. Their performances have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams.
