Hima Das Gives India its First Ever Track Gold at the WorldsSports Buzz

July 13, 2018 10:22
Hima Das Gives India its First Ever Track Gold at the Worlds

(Image source from: India Today)

The 18-year-old Himadas from Assam has created an athletics history acquiring India's first ever track gold at a global event by winning the 400-meter final at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.

Being aroused on the opening block, Hima trailed on the home stretch though staring slow, but her dazzling run in the concluding 80 meters, where she overtook three competitors saw her clocking 51.46 seconds.

Her coach Nipon Das in Guwahati says he wasn't distressed when Hima was not among the top three at the final curve. "Her race begins in the final 80 meters. Her progress just shows how much potential she has. It has been just two years since she first wore spikes," says the coach about her ward whose personal best is 51.13 seconds.

With this victory, Hima joined an elite club of Indian athletes who have won medals at the World U20 Championships.

Those who have followed Hima's meteoric rise had expected a podium finish at Finland. After her entry into the final, she had managed to a short comment. "I am enjoying," she said.

'Thank you for the happiness' Twitter rejoices as Hima Das wins gold.

Hima started off with football, kicking the ball with boys in the mud pits next to the rice fields. She was then advised by a local coach to take up athletics.

Shortly, the adolescent Hima was spotted by coach Nipon, with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, during an inter-district meet. "She was wearing cheap spikes but she won gold in the 100 and 200. She ran like the wind. I hadn't seen such a talent in ages," Nipon says.

The coach convinced the youngster that she had a future in athletics and asked her to shift to Guwahati, 140 km from her village.

By Sowmya Sangam

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