Avinash Sable wins 3000m steeplechase gold in Asian Athletics, first Indian in 36 years

AVINASH SABLE on Thursday (29) became the first Indian in 36 years to win a gold medal in 3000m steeplechase event of the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea.

Sable produced the season's best performance of 8:20.92sec to claim the top honor, which is also his second Asian medal after a silver in the 2019 edition.

The last time India won a gold in this event was way back in 1989 when Dina Ram finished on top.

Harbel Singh was the first Indian to fetch a men's steeplechase gold at the showpiece back in 1975.

Sable lived up to the favourite tag with some ease to consolidate the country's position in the 26th edition of the continental tournament.

Japan's Yutaro Niinae, who clinched the silver with 8:24.41sec, was leading at the start of the final lap but the Indian ace produced a brilliant effort to go past him and claim the top prize.

The Hangzhou Asian Games gold-medallist continued to stay ahead of the pack with four laps to go but he had two Japanese athletes following him closely.

Niinae overtook Sable with three laps remaining, but the Indian had the last laugh.

Qatar's Zakaria Elahlaami took the bronze after clocking 8:27.12sec.

Jyothi Yarraji (women’s 100m hurdles) and the women’s 4x400m relay team grabbed two more gold medals for India, taking the tally to five golds, six silver and three bronze.

The event will conclude on May 31.