18-year-old Hima Das has created athletics history. 18-months ago she participated in her first ever competitive inter-district meet in Sivasagar, Assam. And now she has made us all proud by becoming the first Indian woman to win gold at the 400 metre final Athletics Junior World Championships.
What a phenomenal story Hima has to share. The daughter of a rice farmer from Dhing village in Nagaon district, she has worked hard to get to this position. Would you believe it if I said that she trained in her father’s rice field and that it was only last year that she took up racing seriously?
The youngest of five siblings, for Hima, athletics was never a serious option.
While her father did not have the money or the resources to get her the required training, her village did not have any infrastructure either.
Photo Source: Facebook
Hima would spend a lot of her time playing football. It was in 2016 that her physical education teacher suggested that she take up an individual sport rather than continue playing football.
A report published in ESPN about this amazing girl speaks about her modest background. After winning the 400 m race of the Federation Cup, Hima tried to call her mother to share her joy and tell her about representing India at the Commonwealth Games. It took a long while to get connected, given that her village has low mobile connectivity.
Her mother’s response to her winning the race and representing India is also something that will warm your heart. The publication quotes her mother, Jonali Das, saying, “Commonwealth Games? What’s that? Will you be on TV? Then it’s probably a good thing.”
Photo Source: Facebook
According to a report in the Indian Express, Hima started slow and trailed on the home stretch, but her blazing run in the final 80 m, where she overtook three rivals, saw her clocking 51.46 seconds.
Speaking to The Hindu, Hima’s coach, Nipon Das, said, “She does not get overawed by anybody and does not care about her opponents. In every race, her goal is to beat the best with better timing.”
Congratulatory messages have been pouring from all quarters for this young athelete. The President of India, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, and Virendra Sehwag were amongst those who tweeted about her victory.
Hima Das creates history by winning Gold medal in 400m of World U20 Championships. She is 1st Indian athlete to win Gold in track event of U-20 World Championships. You have made
proud. #NariShakti
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) July 12, 2018
proud. For anyone who is seeking to achieve something, this approach of Hima’s will probably be of great help – remain focused on your goal and work solely towards achieving that.
Here’s wishing this young superstar much more success!
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)