Those who know Avinash Sable say he is a hard individual. In the Indian Army, he has served on icy mountains, dense forests and blistering deserts, never complaining. When he moved to athletics, he remained as stoic as ever. Coaches remark how he is unafraid to push himself to the limit, even when lactic acid is flooding his muscles, when every step is pain.
On Saturday, you could see that stoic facade crack on day one of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. The 28-year-old was dragging himself back over the bridge that links the National Stadium to the warm-up area after failing to qualify for the 3000m steeplechase final.
Sable had come into the World Championships in the best shape of his life. Having finished a surprise 11th at last year’s World Championships, he had focused on success this time.
