Monaco Diamond League 2025: Animesh Kujur Comes Fourth On Debut, Avinash Sable Suffers Injury in Steeplechase

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Monaco, July 12: Rising Indian sprint star Animesh Kujur narrowly missed the podium in his debut appearance at the Monaco Diamond League 2025 in the men's U-23 200m event on Friday (July 11).

Meanwhile, another star athlete, Avinash Sable, suffered a painful setback in the men's 3000m steeplechase after a fall forced him to record a Did Not Finish (DNF).

Kujur Finishes Fourth in U-23 200m on Diamond League debut

Odisha's Animesh Kujur, India's national record holder in the 200m, clocked 20.55 seconds to finish fourth in the U-23 men's 200m race held in the pre-programme segment of the Monaco meet.

The event was won by Australia's Gout Gout, who put on an impressive show with a time of 20.10s. Busang Kebinatshipi of Botswana (20.28s) and South Africa's Naeem Jack (20.42s) rounded off the podium.

Though Kujur missed a medal, his performance comes on the back of a record-breaking month, where he clocked 10.18s in the 100m at the Dromia International Sprint & Relays in Greece, breaking the national record and becoming the first Indian to run sub-10.20. He was part of the Indian men's 4x100m relay team that set a national record in Chandigarh.

The tall athlete also holds the men's 200m national record (20.32s), earned during his bronze medal win at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. His progress on the European circuit is a strong sign of India's growing sprint presence globally.

U23 200m Results - Monaco Diamond League 2025

1. Gout Gout (AUS) - 20.10
2. Busang Kebinatshipi (BOT) - 20.28
3. Naeem Jack (RSA) - 20.42
4. Animesh Kujur (IND) - 20.55
5. Louis Cantos (FRA) - 21.90
6. Karim Sfaxi (FRA) - 22.69

Avinash Sable's Race Cut Short After Painful Fall

In a deeply unfortunate moment, Asian Games champion Avinash Sable was forced to withdraw from the men's 3000m steeplechase at Stade Louis II, after suffering a fall barely a minute into the race.

The 30-year-old national record holder was clipped at the water jump by a stumbling runner ahead of him, causing Sable to fall awkwardly. He was unable to continue, limped off with support, and was later taken to a medical centre for assessment. The extent of the injury is not yet known.

Sable came into the race on the back of two other Diamond League appearances this season at Xiamen Diamond League, where he finished 13th with a timing of 8:22.59, while at Shaoxing Diamond League, the Mandwa-born athlete achieved a timing of 8:23.85 to finish eighth.

Despite his recent form, this was Sable's first competition since winning the Asian Steeplechase title in May, and expectations were high. He currently sits 18th in the Diamond League standings, with only a few events left before the Zurich Finals in August.

Men's 3000m Steeplechase - Monaco Diamond League 2025 Results:

1. Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) - 8:03.18
2. Ryuji Miura (JPN) - 8:03.43
3. Edmund Serem (KEN) - 8:04.00
4. Salaheddine Ben Yazide (MAR) - 8:06.44
5. Getnet Wale (ETH) - 8:07.57
6. Samuel Firewu (ETH) - 8:08.03
7. Karl Bebendorf (GER) - 8:08.21
8. Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui (TUN) - 8:08.27
9. Matthew Wilkinson (USA) - 8:10.23
10. Daniel Arce (ESP) - 8:12.08
11. James Corrigan (USA) - 8:14.76
12. Abraham Kibiwot (KEN) - 8:14.81
13. Djilali Bedrani (FRA) - 8:16.34
14. Frederik Ruppert (GER) - 8:24.68
15. Kenneth Rooks (USA) - 8:28.23
16. Nicolas-Marie Daru (FRA) - 8:40.53
DNF: Avinash Sable (IND)

India's Outlook Moving Forward

While Kujur continues to build momentum ahead of key meets in Europe and Tokyo 2025, Sable's injury casts doubt on his Diamond League season and preparations for the World Championships later this year.