Avinash Sable Ends 36-Year Wait with Gold in Steeplechase: A Glorious Chapter in India’s Asian Championship Legacy
In Gumi, South Korea, on a damp May evening in 2025, Avinash Sable ran his name into the history books with a storming victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, clinching gold with a season-best time of 8:20.92 at the Asian Athletics Championships. This was not just a win — it was a significant milestone in India’s rich but often overlooked history in the steeplechase event at the continental level.
With this win, Sable became the first Indian man in 36 years to win the Asian title in steeplechase, ending a long drought that began after Deena Ram’s gold in 1989. The
record holder and current Asian Games champion timed his final kick to perfection, trailing Japan’s Yutaro Niinae at the bell before surging ahead to finish strongly and claim India’s third gold medal of the Championships.
An Elite Club of Indian Steeplechasers
Sable’s latest triumph places him in elite company. He now becomes only the third Indian man to win multiple medals in the 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Athletics Championships, joining legends Gopal Singh Saini and Anokh Singh.
India’s presence in the steeplechase at the Asian Championships dates back to 1975, when Harbeil Singh captured the country’s first gold in the event. The foundation he laid saw a strong generation of Indian distance runners carry the legacy forward across the next two decades. Here’s a look at the Indians who have reached the podium in this grueling discipline:
Indian Medal Winners in 3000m Steeplechase at the Asian Athletics Championships
- 1975 – Harbeil Singh – Gold
- 1979 – Gopal Singh Saini – Bronze
- 1981 – Gopal Singh Saini – Silver, Anokh Singh – Bronze
- 1983 – Anokh Singh – Bronze
- 1985 – Shanmugin Pitchaiah – Bronze
- 1989 – Deena Ram – Gold
- 2019 – Avinash Sable – Bronze
- 2025 – Avinash Sable – Gold
This timeline paints a picture of early Indian dominance, a lull through the 1990s and 2000s, and now, a resurgence thanks to Sable.
A Golden Finish in Gumi
Sable’s race was a masterclass in composure and control. As the race settled into rhythm over the first 2000 meters, he stayed within striking distance of Japan’s Niinae. With the bell lap approaching, the gap between the two was minimal — but Sable had plenty left in the tank.
His surge began with 300 meters to go, gliding over the barriers with purpose. By the final water jump, he had built a decisive lead. He crossed the finish line well clear of the field, his 8:20.92 time the fastest he’s run all season — and the fastest any Indian has run at the Asian Championships.
“It feels great to bring the gold back to India. I wanted to be patient and strike at the right moment — and that’s exactly how it worked out,” said Sable after the race.
From Latur to the Top of Asia
Sable’s journey from a small village in Maharashtra’s Beed district to the top step of the podium at a major continental championship is one of perseverance, discipline, and ambition. A soldier in the Indian Army before becoming a full-time athlete, Sable broke the long-standing national record multiple times over the past few years. He’s the only Indian to have run the steeplechase under 8:12 — a feat that has made him competitive even at the global level.
In 2019, he had won bronze at the Asian Championships — a performance that hinted at his potential. Since then, he’s matured into one of Asia’s finest distance runners. The gold in Gumi is his second major continental title after his Asian Games victory in 2023, further confirming his dominance in the region.
A Medal with Added Context
Sable’s win also came in the absence of Japan’s Ryuji Miura, the Asian record holder and Sable’s biggest continental rival, who opted out of the championships. While Miura’s absence might raise eyebrows, Sable’s performance still stood out. He paced his race expertly, managed the damp conditions, and showed why he remains Asia’s man to beat in the event.
Behind him, Japan’s Yutaro Niinae claimed silver in 8:24.41, while Qatar’s Zakaria Elahlaami clocked a personal best of 8:27.12 to take bronze. But there was little doubt about who the best man on the track was that evening.
India’s Medal Tally Rises
Sable’s win was India’s third gold at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, part of a solid showing for the national team. With more finals to come, India’s athletics resurgence appears to be continuing on the right trajectory.
Legacy Secured, Eyes Set on Global Stage
With his second continental medal secured, Sable now has his eyes set on bigger targets — the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. To compete against the Kenyans and Ethiopians, Sable knows he’ll need to push below 8:10 again. But with every race, he seems more prepared for the challenge.
Back home, his win is more than just another gold medal — it’s a symbol of revival, a reminder of India’s storied past in long-distance running, and a beacon of what could lie ahead.
From Harbeil Singh’s heroics in 1975 to Avinash Sable’s statement win in 2025, Indian steeplechasers have etched a legacy — and it just got its finest chapter yet.
