The steeplechaser finished seventh in heat number one.

The steeplechaser finished seventh in heat number one.

The steeplechaser finished seventh in heat number one.

Budapest: National record holder 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable failed to qualify for the final round of the World Athletics Championships after finishing a disappointing seventh in his heat race in a shocking result here on Saturday.

Sable, who trained abroad for many months on Sports Ministry's funding to prepare for this showpiece and was exempted from competing in domestic events, clocked 8 minutes and 22.24 seconds to finish seventh in heat number one.

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Only the top five finishers in the three heats make it to the final round.

Sable was expected to at least make it to the finals, if not win a medal. His performance is a huge disappointment for the Indian camp.

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He holds the national record of 8:11.20.