Sable creates new national record in 3000m steeplechase
Maharashtra’s Avinash Sable paid the best possible tribute to late coach Nikolai Snesarev, posting a new national record timing of 8 minutes and 20.20 seconds to win the 3000m steeplechase at the Federation Cup Senior National Athletics Championships here on Wednesday.
Patiala
Along with javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Sable gave India reason to cheer. Neeraj broke his own meet record while 26-year-old Toor had a superb series of throws at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports.
Sable, who had set the earlier national mark at 8:21.37 at the World Championships in Doha in October 2019, broke free of the pack after a lap and a half and raced the clock. Having already secured Olympic qualification, the 26-year-old was a picture of determination and confidence as he chased his target time.
Haryana’s Neeraj sustained his fine run of form with a massive throw over 87.80m on his final attempt, which secured him a new meet record. Earlier, Toor (Punjab) uncorked a series of big throws as he sought to meet the Olympic qualifying mark of 21.10m.
Opening with a throw of 19.99m, the strapping left hander went past the 20m mark on each of his four other legal throws. He recorded 20.20m, 20.17m, 20.58m and 20.47m with a foul on his fourth try.
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