2014 Asian Games medallist who once competed alongside Avinash Sable could never recover due to lack of proper rehab

Navneet Singh

Financial constraints emerged as a major hurdle for steeplechase runner and 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist Naveen Dagar in his attempts to make a comeback following a serious injury sustained during a domestic competition four years ago.

Dagar suffered multiple fractures in his left leg during a freak incident at the 2021 Federation Cup in Patiala. The meet also served as a qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. While Avinash Sable stole the spotlight by breaking the national record in the race, the competition is also remembered for a chaotic moment when several runners fell after a faulty water barrier clearance.

As many as five athletes were injured, with Dagar suffering the most severe damage. He had to be stretchered off the track and rushed to the hospital for scans.  The injury ultimately crushed Dagar’s hopes of competing again. Now retired, he recalls that painful period as one of the most difficult chapters of his life.

Traumatic time

“I suffered multiple fractures in the left leg and I didn’t get the right kind of support to make fast recovery,” 37-year-old Dagar told Sportsbackstory.com. “It was a traumatic time for me. It was tough to make a successful comeback.”

During the first surgery, the medical expert used a metal rod for stability, says Dagar.  “But I could feel the pain due to stress on my return to normal practice,” the retired international runner from Haryana said.

Covid-19 pandemic

Covid-19 pandemic further complicated his post-surgery rehab in the lower leg. Due to a long lay-off the runner from Jhajjar struggled to reduce weight.
To get rid of the pain, Dagar went for another surgery. This time to remove the orthopedic hardware to get rid of the lingering pain. “Two surgeries nearly halted my running career,” the Asian Games bronze medallist added. “Since I wasn’t among the elite athletes I was asked to do the normal duty in the Army.”

Out of action

Sable, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Asian Games champion in men’s 3000m steeplechase, is currently undergoing rehab after ACL knee surgery. 

“With extensive rehab Sable should be able to make a successful comeback,” says Dagar. “He (Sable) is an elite runner and he is getting all the support from the government. I wish him all the best,” Dagar adds.

Sable damaged his knee during the men’s 3,000m steeplechase event at the Monaco Diamond League on July 11. Sable fell while negotiating a water barrier during the race. Later it was diagnosed with an ACL tear.

The Army’s 30-year-old international runner from Maharashtra was preparing for the September 13-21 World Athletics Championships. However, the injury has ruled him out for the Worlds.

Recalling the 2021 competition in Patiala, Dagar shares how he fell at the water jump around the 1000m mark. The fall would change everything. His personal best of 8:40.39 in the 3000m steeplechase came during his bronze-medal winning performance at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. He had trained hard in the lead up to the 2021 season, aiming to improve his timing during the Olympics qualification meet at home. But the injury cruelly put paid to those dreams.  

Group running

Dagar was of the view that group running is key to improve bench strength in steeplechase. Runners having potential to excel in steeplechase should often practice with top runners like Sable. “Training with Sable will inspire the younger generation of distance runners. It will also give an opportunity to Sable to master skills to cross water barriers during group running,” Dagar adds.

Sable holds the national record of 8:09.91 seconds in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, but doesn’t have smooth hurdles crossing during the gruelling steeplechase event that has 28 barriers and seven water jumps. “In preparation for the Tokyo World Athletics Championships the emphasis was to ensure Sable improves his skills to cross water barriers smoothly,” national coach Kalyan Chaudhari says, who was overseeing Sable’s training in Bengaluru. Sable has been training in SAI centre in Bengaluru since November 2024.

Domestic competition

According to Dagar, having a good bunch of runners for the steeplechase event will narrow the gap between the leading runner like Sable and the second bench. “Quality competition at domestic level is the only way to improve standard,” Dagar says. “If we have a good number of runners who are regularly racing below 8 minutes 30 seconds for the steeplechase, it will automatically improve the bench strength.”

Dagar has retired from the Army and has plans to join the Haryana government. “I’m preparing for a preliminary exam. Hopefully I will do well,” he told Sportsbackstory.com. “In case I don’t get through then I’ve option to join a coaching course at NIS (National Institute of Sports in Patiala) and become a coach.”