The World Cup of Track and Field, ie the World Athletics Championships, is starting here in Eugene Today. It will run till July 24. For the first time in the championship’s 39-year history, it is taking place in the United State. Around 2000 athletes from 200 countries are set to participate in 50 events (49+1 teams). A 21-member contingent from India is participating in this tournament held every two years.
India has hopes from its players to end the 19-year medal drought this time. The last and only time our country won a medal in the tournament was in 2003. Then our women long jumper Anju Bobby George won bronze in Paris by jumping 6.70 meters. This time, including Neeraj Chopra, India has medal high hopes from Indian players. Other main contenders for the medal are Murali Sreeshankar in the Long Jump and Avinash Sable in the 3000m steeplechase event.
Avinash Sable to participate in 3000m steeplechase event
Avinash has improved his national record 5 times in four years. The 27-year-old Indian steeplechaser has improved his national record in the last four years. Avinash Sable clocked 8 minutes 29.80 seconds in 2018, 8 minutes 28.94 seconds in 2019, 8 minutes 21.37 seconds in the 2019 World Championships tournament, and 8 minutes 18.12 seconds in the Tokyo Olympics. Sable also took just 8 minutes 12.48 seconds in the Diamond League this year. This performance has given a lot of boost to the tournament.
The United State of America has been the most successful country in the championship. There are 17 editions so far, the American has 170 Gold, 117 Silver, and 94 Bronze. The country is at number one in the overall medal table with 381 medals. Similarly, Kenya is second with 151 medals including 60 gold. India has won only a medal so far until the 17 editions. India’s record in track and field events is not so good.
Read Also:- List of Indian contingent participating in world athletics championships 2022