It’s been just 18 months after pacing up her first competitive race and the 18-year-old Hima Das had other ideas to steal the spotlight as she scripted athletics history. She made the country proud by winning the Gold in the 400 m final at the World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. She is the daughter of a rice farmer, hailing from Dhing village in Nagaon district in Assam.
Initially, Hima started a tad slow and was trailed by 3 rivals. She had a lot of catching up to do in the final 80m where she outsmarted the rivals as she clocked 51.46 seconds in what was a staggering achievement.
“Her race begins in the final 80 metres. Her progress just shows how much potential she has. It has been just two years since she first wore spikes,” says her coach Nipon Das about her ward whose personal best is 51.13 seconds.
PM Narendra Modi took to his Twitter handle to congratulate Hima Das on winning the Gold. Modi’s caption read, “India is delighted and proud of athlete Hima Das, who won a historic Gold in the 400m of World U20 Championships. Congratulations to her! This accomplishment will certainly inspire young athletes in the coming years.”
India is delighted and proud of athlete Hima Das, who won a historic Gold in the 400m of World U20 Championships. Congratulations to her! This accomplishment will certainly inspire young athletes in the coming years.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2018
The President of India heaped praise on Hima Das as well. His tweet is below:
Congratulations to our sensational sprint star Hima Das for winning the 400m gold in the World Under-20 Championship. This is India’s first ever track gold in a World Championship. A very proud moment for Assam and India, Hima; now the Olympic podium beckons! #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 12, 2018
Wow! So proud of you Hima Das. Incredible, historic achievement on becoming the first Indian track athlete to win a medal at any global event winning Gold at women's 400m World U-20 Championships clocking a time of 51.47 seconds. Thank you for the happiness. pic.twitter.com/Cs5wY8sDuM
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 12, 2018
What an incredible achievement for #HimaDas, the first Indian to win a Gold Medal in 400m Sprint at the World Under-20 Championship. The country is so proud of you! ??????
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 13, 2018
JAI HIND !!!! Beaming with pride !!!!! ?? Jiyo #HimaDas ✊?
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) July 13, 2018
Woke up and felt a genuine wave of Pride Love & inspiration. What an amazing athlete you are…#HimaDas Kya Baat hai! pic.twitter.com/gcDnyXxwRj
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 13, 2018
“Thank so much for your love and support ??. I am happy that I could bring gold for my country and I will try my level best to bring more medals and to do more achievements for my country in the coming days. Keep supporting ? #loveyouall #proudmoment #monjai #lovemycountry??,” Hima Das tweeted.
Thank so much for your love and support ??
I am happy that I could bring gold for my country and I will try my level best to bring more medals and to do more achievements for my country in the coming days. Keep supporting ? #loveyouall #proudmoment #monjai #lovemycountry?? pic.twitter.com/DJQicYQE0X— Hima (mon jai) (@HimaDas8) July 12, 2018
