Asian Games 2023: Avinash Sable secures India’s first track and field gold; shot-putter Tajinderpal Toor defends title

Putting behind his World Championships disappointment in the 19th edition of the Asian Games on Sunday, runner Avinash Sable secured a historic gold in the 3000m steeplechase event.

Kickstarting its athletics campaign at the Asiad in Hangzhou, India secured its first gold medal in track and field through Sable, who finished first by completing his 3000m race in 8:19.50.

Smashing records in the ongoing edition of the Asian Games, Sable became the first Indian men’s athlete to win a gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Games. Opening India’s account in athletics at the Hangzhou Games, the 29-year-old has joined Sudha Singh in an exclusive list. Singh sealed a gold in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

After Sable won a historic gold in the 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Games, shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor extended India’s tally by successfully defending his title. Toor came up with an amazing final throw to upstage his Saudi Arabian rival in the men’s final. The 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist produced a stunning throw of 20.36 metres on his sixth and last attempt to beat Mohamed Daouda Tolo, who covered a distance of 20.18 metres with his attempt.

Toor struggled to surpass his own Asian Games record of 20.75m which he set at the 2018 Jakarta Games. Later, India’s Harmilan Bains won a silver in the 1500m event. India’s Ajay Kumar Saroj and Jinson Johnson won silver and bronze respectively in the men’s 1500m. Nandini Agasara won bronze in the women’s heptathlon while Seema Punia took home a bronze in the women’s discus throw event at Hangzhou. With a best finish of 8.19 meters, India’s Murali Sreeshankar sealed a silver medal in the men’s long jump final.