Fewer athletes will carry greater expectations for India at the Asian Games than Avinash Sable.The defending Asian Games champion, Asian Games record holder (8:19.50) and national record holder (8:09.91) in 3000m steeplechase heads to the continental showpiece as one of the country’s most dependable gold-medal prospects.For much of the last year, however, the possibility of Sable defending his steeplechase crown looked far from certain as he suffered a horrific crash during water jump at Monaco Diamond League in July 2025. It caused severe ACL and meniscus tears in his right knee.The injury turned even routine training into a challenge and forced the 31-year-old through months of rehabilitation before he could begin preparing seriously for another championship campaign.“It’s not a small story,” coach Kalyan Chaudhuri told TOI in an exclusive interview.“After the ACL tear, even jogging was difficult. The last seven to eight months were very crucial. The actual preparation started only around three or four months ago because rebuilding strength for hurdling, water jumps and race-specific work was not easy.”Now, with the Games approaching, Chaudhuri believes Sable has recovered sufficiently to challenge for another steeplechase gold while also contesting the 5000m, in which he won a silver in Hangzhou.His recent performance at the Indian Athletics Series Final in New Delhi last week where he won the men’s 3000m steeplechase title with a timing of 8:32.39 was also encouraging.But the comeback has not been without setbacks.
During a high-altitude camp in Ooty in April this year, Sable suffered a thigh strain that interrupted his progress and required another round of rehabilitation. According to Chaudhuri, the period between May and mid-June proved decisive in accelerating his recovery.“We focussed on strengthening, particularly around the knee, after the ACL repair. That phase was crucial in regaining his previous strength and endurance,” said the deputy chief national athletics coach.While the ACL injury has not affected Sable’s hurdling or water-jump technique, Chaudhuri admitted there are still subtle reminders of the setback during training.According to the coach, his running mechanics can occasionally appear slightly altered during warm-ups and slower-paced movement before settling into their natural rhythm. Once he moves into race-specific sessions, however, he “runs absolutely fine like before”.The coach credited a larger support system involving recovery specialists, strength and conditioning experts and SAI Bengaluru staff for helping Sable return to elite competition. Yet he believes the athlete’s own understanding of his body has played an equally important role.“He is one of the most intelligent athletes I have worked with. He knows the response of his body and understands what is required for recovery. Training such an intelligent athlete is really a blessing for a coach,” Chaudhuri said.While competition opportunities have been limited since the injury, the signs have been promising. Sable clocked 13:45.52 in a 5000m race in Belgium last month and has subsequently posted encouraging performances in training.The coach conceded that serious injuries can sometimes leave lingering doubts in an athlete’s mind, particularly in a crowded steeplechase race where competitors jostle for position approaching barriers and water jumps. However, he says Sable remains mentally unfazed.“My feeling is that after such an injury there can be a little fear in crowded situations, but he tells me he is completely used to it now. He says he feels no difference,” Chaudhuri added.Beyond his medal ambitions, Sable has also emerged as a mentor within India’s middle and long-distance running set-up. But after a year spent battling injury, rehabilitation and uncertainty, the defending champion will now be just focussed on himself as he takes another shot at continental glory.If Chaudhuri’s assessment is accurate, Sable could once again find himself at the forefront of India’s athletics campaign in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, chasing the kind of performance that has defined his career.