Xiamen Diamond League 2023: Avinash Sable finishes fifth, qualifies for finals in Eugene

The National record holder has become third Indian to qualify for Diamond League finals.

Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medalist, Avinash Sable, finished fifth with a timing of 8.16.27 in men's 3000m Steeplechase at the Xiamen Diamond League 2023. This is Sable's fifth best performance with respect to the time clocked. Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali from Morocco bagged the top spot by clocking 08:10.31 in a slow tactical race.

Meanwhile, this is Sable's second top 5 finish in the four Diamond League meets he has taken part so far this season. The National record holder was contesting in his fifth Diamond League event overall and fourth this year. He was placed in the 11th spot before the start of Xiamen Diamond League 2023, but a creditable performance here sees him qualify for Diamond League finals in Eugene.

By the virtue of Sable's qualification, he becomes the third Indian after world champion Neeraj Chopra and Murali Sreeshankar to qualify for the finals. In the race today, Sable was positioned in the 9th position for most parts and then decided to accelerate in the final two legs.

He eclipsed Japan's Miura Ryuji who finished 5th at the World Athletics Championships 2023. After a disappointing campaign at the World Athletics Championships, Avinash Sable has crawled back to prove his worth.

World and Olympic Champion El Bakkali clinched the top spot with ease. The athlete from Morocco has won 15 of the last 16 races he has competed so far. On the other hand, teenager Samuel Firewu of Ethiopia took the second spot by clocking 8.11.29 ahead of seasoned campaigners - Serem and Kibiwot. The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Amos Serem finished 3rd with a timing of 8.14.41.

The next few weeks is going to be crucial for Avinash Sable as he is set to compete against the World's best in Eugene and closely followed by the Hangzhou Asian games.