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Judoka Sushila Devi Likmabam and Steeplechaser Avinash Sable, Silver Medallists at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, marked Teachers Day paying tributes to their respective coaches Jiwan Sharma and Jaiveer Singh at an event in Mumbai on Monday, September 5, 2022.
Avinash Sable: 'I focused on winning and not on the Kenyan runners'
"I would take this opportunity to thank my coach (Jaiveer Singh) for creating an unbreakable mindset which helped me win the honour for my country."
"I am grateful to have had a world-class coach who changed my perception of the sport and shaped me for the ultimate win," Avinash added.
"He not only inspired me to believe that I could win, but he trained me to win."
Avinash dazzled at the Commonwealth Games, breaking the Kenyan monopoly on medals in the steeplechase event. He is the first non Kenyan to win a medal in the men's 3000 metres steeplechase at a Commonwealth Games since 1994.
Had the race been a metre longer, The Guardian newspaper noted, Avinash would have overtaken Kenyan gold medalist Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot.
Naib Subedar Avinash Mukund Sable of the Indian Army clocked 8:11.20 while Kibiwot clocked 8:11.15. Another Kenyan, Amos Serem, took the bronze with a time of 8:16.83.
Sushila Devi: 'I owe my achievements to my coach'
"I started training to play the sport at a very young age. Having faced many trials and tribulations along the way to achieve my goals, it was my coach (Jiwan Sharma) who gave me the strength to stay strong and face all my battles."
"I am grateful for all his teachings and have him as my mentor," added Sushila, who won a silver medal in the women's judo 48kg event at the Commonwealth Games.