New Delhi: Paris Olympics-bound steeplechaser Avinash Sable improved his 3000m national record even though he finished sixth at the Paris leg of Diamond League on Sunday.
He clocked 8 minute and 9.91 seconds, improving his earlier mark of 8:11.20 that he achieved in 2022 by around one and a half seconds.
Ethiopia’s Abrham Sime was first with a timing of 8:02.36, ahead on a photo finish over Amos Serem (8:02.36) of Kenya, Abraham Kibiwot finished third at 8:06.70.
It was the 29-year-old Sable’s 10th national record-breaking performance. The defending Asian Games champion has run in only two competitions this season, managing 8:21.85 at Portland and 8:31.75 at the National Inter-State Championships in Panchkula last month.
In men’s javelin throw, another Paris Games-bound Indian athlete Kishore Jena finished eighth with an effort of 78.10m, well below his personal best of 87.54m.
It was also below his season best of 80.84m, which he achieved to claim a bronze medal at the National Inter-State Championships.
Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallist Jena is yet to be anywhere near his best as he has managed efforts of only 76.31m in Doha Diamond League and 75.49m in the Federation Cup in May.
Reigning Olympic and World champion Neeraj Chopra skipped the Paris leg of Diminf League to nurse an adductor muscle niggle.
German Julian Weber topped the standings at 85.91m, ahead of Grenada’s Anderson Peters (85.19m) and Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch (85.04m).
Two more Indian atheletes make cut for Paris 2024
Long jumper Jeswin Aldrin and 5000m runner Ankita Dhyani booked berths for Paris Olympics through the world ranking quota that increased the country’s athletics contingent to 30 members.
In the latest list of World Athletics, Aldrin and Ankita’s names were included, adding to the 28-member squad that the Athletics Federation of India had announced on July 4.
The track and field competitions at the Paris Games begin on August 1 while the multi-sport event begins on July 26.
Avinash Sable clocked 8 minute and 9.91 seconds, improving his earlier mark of 8:11.20 that he achieved in 2022 by around one and a half seconds. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
