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Indian steeplechase star Avinash Sable believes he has regained the fitness that made him a leading force in the 3000m steeplechase and is confident of producing another strong performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Sable’s confidence comes after a difficult 14-month period away from competition following a serious right-knee injury. The Indian athlete underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damaged meniscus after his fall at the Monaco Diamond League in July 2025.
After months of rehabilitation and intensive training, Sable now feels that his old fitness has returned.
Sable Says His Fitness Is Back to 2022 Levels
Sable has drawn confidence from his current physical condition, saying he believes he has reached a fitness level comparable to the one he had before his successful Asian Games campaign.
The 31-year-old said he now feels capable of repeating the performance that earned him the 3000m steeplechase gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games, with his preparations for the 2026 edition progressing well.
With only a short period remaining before his Asian Games event, Sable said he is confident about his chances and believes his preparation has put him in a strong position.
His optimism represents a major turnaround from earlier in the recovery process, when he acknowledged doubts about whether he would be able to return to his previous level.
A 14-Month Injury Layoff Tested His Confidence
Sable’s road back has been considerably more difficult than simply rebuilding physical strength.
His injury occurred during the Monaco Diamond League in July 2025, when he fell at the water jump after another athlete lost balance. The incident caused serious damage to his right knee, including an ACL tear and meniscus injury.
The injury required surgery and forced Sable into the longest competitive absence of his career.
During the rehabilitation period, he also experienced considerable self-doubt. Earlier in his recovery, Sable admitted that he sometimes questioned whether he would ever be able to perform familiar movements at his previous level.
That psychological battle became an important part of his comeback as he attempted to rebuild both his physical capabilities and confidence.
Intensive Training Helped Sable Rebuild His Fitness
Sable’s rehabilitation included training at several specialised facilities.
He spent time at a high-altitude training centre in Ooty, followed by work at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka, before continuing preparations at the Sports Authority of India’s Southern Centre in Bengaluru.
The training programme focused on gradually restoring strength, endurance and confidence after surgery.
The SAI Smart Track in Bengaluru also became an important part of his preparation as he worked on returning to the specific demands of steeplechase racing.
After nearly eight months of intensive training, Sable now believes the work has brought him close to the physical condition he had several years ago.
Sable Missed the Commonwealth Games
The lengthy rehabilitation period meant Sable could not compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Indian athlete had previously indicated that he did not want to return merely to participate and would only compete if he believed he had recovered sufficiently to perform at a competitive level. Earlier in 2026, he estimated that he was still only around 70-80% of his previous fitness.
That cautious approach allowed him to focus on the longer-term objective: returning to full fitness for the Asian Games.
The decision ultimately gave Sable additional time to strengthen his knee and rebuild his confidence before targeting major competition.
A Return to Steeplechase Competition
Sable is now preparing to return to the steeplechase after a prolonged absence.
Reports indicate that the Indian Athletics Series Final is set to provide an important competitive test before the Asian Games. It will be his first steeplechase competition in approximately a year and will offer an opportunity to assess how his body responds to the demands of racing.
Training can provide valuable information about an athlete’s fitness, but competition presents a different challenge.
For Sable, the return to racing will therefore be an important step in determining how effectively his rehabilitation has translated into competitive performance.
The Asian Games Remain the Main Target
The 2026 Asian Games in Japan represent the biggest objective of Sable’s comeback.
He won the Asian Games steeplechase title in 2023 and now wants to defend his continental crown. His preparation has been designed around reaching peak condition for the event rather than rushing back for an earlier competition.
Sable’s belief that he has returned to his 2022 fitness level gives him additional confidence heading into the competition.
However, the Asian Games will ultimately provide the biggest test of whether he has fully recovered his previous competitive level.
Sable’s National Record Remains a Major Benchmark
Sable remains one of India’s most successful 3000m steeplechase athletes.
He holds the Indian national record of 8:09.91, established at the 2024 Paris Diamond League. He has also won an Asian Games gold medal and a Commonwealth Games silver medal during his career.
Those achievements have established him as one of India’s leading distance runners.
The current comeback is therefore not simply about returning to competition. Sable is attempting to regain the level that previously allowed him to compete successfully against the world’s best steeplechasers.
Mental Strength Has Been Central to His Comeback
The physical aspects of Sable’s rehabilitation have been accompanied by a significant mental challenge.
A long-term injury can affect an athlete’s confidence, particularly in a technically demanding event such as steeplechase, where athletes repeatedly have to clear barriers and water jumps.
Sable’s earlier comments about fear and self-doubt demonstrated how difficult the rehabilitation period was. His current confidence represents an important psychological milestone in his recovery.
The ability to trust his injured knee again will be crucial when he returns to high-level competition.
India Will Hope for Another Strong Asian Games Performance
Sable’s return is significant for India’s athletics programme, particularly with the Asian Games approaching.
His experience at major international competitions, combined with his Asian Games title, gives India a proven medal contender in the men’s 3000m steeplechase.
A fully fit Sable could strengthen India’s prospects in athletics while also providing an inspiring example of how elite athletes can overcome serious injuries through patience, rehabilitation and sustained training.
Avinash Sable’s comeback has reached an important stage. After 14 months away from competition following ACL and meniscus surgery, India’s leading steeplechaser believes he has regained the fitness necessary to challenge for another major title.
His journey has involved intensive training in Ooty, Bellary and Bengaluru, along with a difficult psychological battle to overcome self-doubt.
Now, with the 2026 Asian Games in Japan approaching, Sable believes he is back to the level he reached during his earlier breakthrough years.
The upcoming competition will provide the clearest indication of how close he is to his best. For Sable, however, simply making it back to the starting line after such a difficult injury represents a significant victory in itself.
