World Athletics Championships: Sable and Shaili fail to make it to final round

BUDAPEST: India's Steeplechase star Avinash Sable and long jumper Shaili Singh failed to qualify for the finals of the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest. While Avinash Sable finished seventh in the men's 3000m steeplechase, Shaili Singh finished 24th in the women's long jump qualification.

Avinash Sable, who holds India's national record in men's 3000m steeplechase with a mark of 8:11.20, logged 8:22.24 to finish seventh in heat one. Only athletes finishing in the top five in the three heats advance to the final. This is the first time that Avinash Sable, making his third appearance in the World Championships, failed to make the final round at the marquee event.

19-year-old Shaili Singh, who has been training under Indian long jump legend Anju Bobby George, began the qualification with a jump of 6.26m and followed it with an effort of 6.40m and 6.30m to finish 14th among 18 competitors in Group B. Only the top 12 across both groups qualified for the medal round.