Big blow for India! Sable misses out on medal, finishes fourth in steeplechase
Indian athlete Avinash Sable finished fourth in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2026 Asian Games, missing out on a medal despite a season-best performance. Meanwhile, Vithya Ramraj secured a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles, setting a new national record.
Why it matters
It covers significant athletic performance milestones and national record-breaking events in a major regional sporting competition.
NEW DELHI: India suffered a major disappointment in the athletics competition at the Asian Games 2026 on Monday as defending champion and Games record holder Avinash Sable finished fourth in the men's 3000m steeplechase final, despite producing his season-best performance.Sable clocked 8:21.67 but could not reproduce the performance that had earned him gold at the previous edition. The Indian was unable to keep pace with the leading trio in a tightly contested final and eventually missed the podium.Japan's Ryuji Miura won the gold in a new Games record of 8:17.36, while compatriot Ryoma Aoki claimed silver with a personal best of 8:17.60. Qatar's Zakaria Elahlaami took bronze in 8:18.13.For India, Sable's fourth-place finish was particularly disappointing given his status as the defending champion and the Asian Games record holder in the event.
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