CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: A major change has emerged in the Indian athletics team ahead of the Asian Games 2026. Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Annu Rani has not been able to secure a place in India’s team this time. She could not achieve the prescribed qualification mark in the women’s javelin throw, due to which she was left out of the squad selected for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Meanwhile, Avinash Sable, who is returning from injury, has been included in the Indian team for the 3000m steeplechase. Sable made an impressive comeback on Thursday at the Indian Athletics Series Final held in Delhi, winning gold in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 8:32.32 seconds. He was competing in the event after more than a year.
The Athletics Federation of India had announced a 77-member athletics team for the Asian Games, which includes Sable. However, Annu Rani was also included in AFI’s September 3 list; her name was later removed from the final team after she failed to meet the qualification standard.
The Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Sable’s return has strengthened India’s medal hopes in the steeplechase.
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