Avinash Sable plans to train abroad after World Championships – India Today

Wishing to follow the footsteps of mid-distance runner Jinson Johnson, 3000m steeplechase national record holder Avinash Sable is planning to train in the United States of America after the World Championships in September.

1500m Asian Games gold medallist Jinson, with whom Avinash trains at the national camp in Bengaluru recently split with coach Jasvinder Singh Bhatia and is set to move to Colorado Springs to strengthen his efforts to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics next year. Avinash also wishes to move in the same direction.

I am planning to train abroad, most probably in the USA, after the World Championships as I have heard the facilities back there are really good for long-distance runners. I wanted to do it earlier but competitions are just days away and that’s why I want to keep my focus on it and then see what are the possible options abroad, Avinash told Mail Today from Bengaluru.

The 24-year-old track and field athlete, who was included in TOPS list last year in October, said he plans to write to Sports Authority of India (SAI) for financial backing through Athletics Federation of India soon after the Doha event slated from September 28 onwards.

Meanwhile Jinson, who was expected to shift his training base to the US as early as August, told Mail Today that his plans are on hold for the time being and a date of travelling will be finalised after the Inter-States Athletics Championships in Lucknow from August 26 to August 30.

Avinash, on the other hand, hasn’t participated in any competition since April’s Asian Championships (where he clinched silver) before posting his personal best and the national record of 8:28:94 seconds at the Federation Cup in Patiala in March. To get back into the competitive mould before the Worlds, the Maharashtra-born army man will be participating at the Inter-States and will be taking a shot at stiff Olympic qualifying standard of 8:22.00 seconds.

I have had a strong off-season in the past two months and my timings in the training have been good so Inter-States ahead of World Championships will be a good opportunity to prepare for it and also to qualify for the Olympics, he said.

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