Tanya’s Record Throw, Sable’s Winning Comeback Light Up Indian Athletics Series Final

Tanya Chaudhary shattered the women’s hammer throw national record while Avinash Sable made a winning return to the 3000m steeplechase after more than a year at the Indian Athletics Series Final here on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Tanya, representing Uttar Pradesh, produced a throw of 68.35m, bettering the previous national record of 67.02m set by her state-mate Anushka Yadav in June. Anushka finished second with 66.34m.

The two Asian Games-bound athletes train at the same ground in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, under different coaches. Tanya said she had been chasing the national record for three years and viewed the breakthrough as a fresh beginning.

Her progress came after a difficult injury period involving a hamstring problem and a stress injury to her femur. She said the problems began in January and forced her to manage multiple injuries before returning to full training.

Tanya, who made the Asian Games squad despite not achieving the qualifying mark, is now targeting the 70m barrier.

“It is around 1.5 metres more. I will reach 70 metres soon,” she said.

Sable, meanwhile, clocked 8:32.39 to win the men’s 3000m steeplechase in his first race over the distance in more than a year. The 31-year-old has had a limited season following ACL surgery last year and competed in only a 5000m race in Belgium in August before Thursday’s event.

The Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist said he has trained for both the steeplechase and 5000m and hopes to compete in both at the upcoming Asian Games. The Athletics Federation of India has requested organisers to accept his 5000m entry.

Elsewhere, Harita Bhadra won the women’s 100m in 11.22 seconds, while Animesh Kujur took the men’s 100m in 10.21 seconds.