Avinash Sable makes the cut for steeplechase final at Paris Olympics

PARIS: India's Avinash Sable lived up to his reputation as he advanced to the final in the men's 3000m steeplechase here on Monday. The Indian clocked 8:15.43s to finish fifth in heat 2 and make the cut for the final. The top five from each of the three heats will compete in the final scheduled on Thursday (IST).

Sable, who had crashed out in the first round at the Tokyo Games, got his tactics right as he kept his place in the leading pack. To begin with, the Army man, with a personal best (PB) timing of 8:09.91s, took an early lead before Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot, bronze winner at the World Championships last year, took charge. Sable slipped to fourth with three laps to go. He then pushed his way to second before falling back after the bell.

Mohamed Tindouft of Morocco won the heat 2 clocking a PB of 8:10.62s.

Earlier, hot favourite Soufiane El Bakkali, also from Morocco, led the list of qualifiers from heat 1 winning the first round in a slow race that he won in 8:17.9s.