Running for Best Timing, Not Medal: Jr World Champion Hima Das

After winning a historic gold at the IAAF U20 World Championships, Hima is set to give her best at the Asian Games.

Hima Das is set to spearhead the Indian challenge in the women’s sprint events at the 2018 Asian Games.

(Screenshot: ANI)

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

After winning a historic gold in July this year, emerging star Hima Das is set to spearhead the Indian challenge in the women's sprint events at the 2018 Asian Games. The 18-year-old from a remote village in Assam won a historic gold in the women's 400m event at the World U-20 Championships in July.

“After the World Championship, we went to Czech Republic to train. What I learnt there, I will try to apply at the Asian Games,” said Hima.

I want to give my best timing, not just win a medal. I run after timing and think about how I can improve my timing.

Hima Das

She clocked 51.46 seconds in the final at the Ratina Stadium to become the first Indian athlete to win to win an international gold in athletics.

At the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, Hima finished sixth in the women’s 400m final after clocking a personal best of 51.32 which she later bettered at the National Inter-State Championships.

She is now set to participate in 200m and 400m events at the Asian Games in Indonesia.

My father was a football player.  At my home in North East, football is more famous. Inspired by my father, I started playing football in the village with my brothers. Then I suddenly wanted to wear the Indian jersey, and I wanted to wear it soon.

Hima Das

“I didn’t think it would be possible in football so I wanted to look for a different sport,” she added.

Das then happened to be spotted at a local yoga meet, where a local coach advised her to take up athletics. And that’s how young Hima Das’ journey as a track and field athlete began.

(With inputs from IANS)