New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- Indian track athlete Avinash Sable's journey back to the track after a serious knee injury was as much a battle with his confidence as it was with his fitness, but the defending Asian Games champion announced his return to the 3000m steeplechase with a big win at the Indian Athletics Final Series here on Thursday.

Sable, who suffered torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus injuries in his right knee after a fall at the water jump during the Monaco Diamond League in July 2025, endured more than a year away from competition before making his comeback.

The 31-year-old returned to his pet event on Thursday and clocked 8:32.39 to finish first, ahead of Shubham Bhandare (8:50.31) and Vikash Dalal (8:50.43), g...