Asian Games 2023: Murali Sreeshankar, Avinash Sable to skip Diamond League final for Huangzhou preparation

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Indian track and field athletes Murali Sreeshankar and Avinash Sable have prioritised Asian Games 2023 as the duo has decided to skip the Diamond League final 2023 in Eugene (the USA) from September 17. Neeraj Chopra now will be the sole Indian at the big-ticket event as he competes in men's javelin throw.

Murali Sreeshankar became the first Indian long jumper to qualify for the six-man Diamond League final 2023 after he finished fifth in Zurich DL late last month. 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable also made the cut for the final at the Xiamen DL, where he finished fifth to take his points tally to 11, finishing sixth overall.

The Diamond League Finals and athletics at the Asian Games 2023 are separated by just 12 days, forcing th two out-of-form athletes to focus on their preparations. The decision by Avinash Sable and Murali Sreeshankar came in the wake of their performances at the World Athletics Championships, where the Indian duo finished far behind their expected positions. Both couldn't make the finals in their respective disciplines.

Sreeshankar, in particular, has been a curious case as the long jumper, who held the national record until this season, saw an early peak as his consistent 8m-plus jumps, including the once second-leading attempt of 8.41m, have now disappeared as he faltered at back-to-back two big-ticket events.

Avinash Sable, who finished fifth in three of the five Diamond League legs, finished far behind his national record and took the blame for faltering when all eyes were on him. Avinash Sable currently trains at famed long-distance coach Scott Simmons in the USA.

The 3000m steeplechase at the Diamond League final 2023 is scheduled on September 16 while the long jump event is a day later. The long jump qualifying round at the Asian Games 2023, meanwhile, begins just 12 days later while the 3000m steeplechase at Hangzhou is slated on October 1.

"If I go to the US travelling some 15 hours, compete for a day, and then fly back to India and then travel again to China for the Asiad, that will be too much for my body," Sreeshankar told The Hindu. "Also the time difference.. my body will not recover from the jet lag."