Gopal Saini

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Gopal Saini
Gopal saini cropped.jpg
Personal information
National teamFlag of India.svg  India
Born1954 (1954)
Rajasthan, India
Sport
Sport Middle distance runner
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing Flag of India.svg  India
Asian Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1981 Tokyo 5000 m
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg1981 Tokyo3000 m st.
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1979 Tokyo 5000 m
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg1979 Tokyo3000 m st.
Asian Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1978 Bangkok 3000 m st.
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1982 new delhi 3000 m st.

Gopal Saini (born 1954) is a former Indian middle-distance runner. He held the national record in 3000 meters Steeplechase which was unbeaten for 37 years. Saini set the 3000m Steeplechase record (8:30.88) in Tokyo,Japan on 5 June 1981 which was then broken by Avinash Sable by clocking 8:29.80 at the 2018 National Open Championships in Bhubaneswar. Sable set a new national record of 8:11.20 in August 2022 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.Saini represented in 1980 22nd olympic games in Soviet Union for men's 5000m race.

He hails from Rajasthan. He was conferred Arjuna award in 1981 for his achievements. He practiced on terrains for strength of legs. He currently works in SBBJ and also owns a restaurant in Jaipur.

References