Assam Girl Hima Das Wins Gold at Tampere

Guwahati: Eighteen-year-old Hima Das from Assam has created history in athletics in the shortest probable time. Within 18 months of running her first competitive race in an inter-district meet in Sivasagar, this daughter of a paddy farmer from Dhing village of Nagaon district bagged the first-ever gold at the famed World U20 Championship that was held at Tampere in Finland.

Hima Das looked tensed yet confident at the start line, but her definite strategy of saving energy by starting slow helped her restore her stamina as she blazed through the track in the final 80m by overtaking three rivals.

Expressing sheer joy and happiness over this overwhelming fete, Hima Das’ coach Nipon Das said that he wasn’t worried when Hima wasn’t 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.”

The 18-year-old Hima Das, a pre-tournament favourite, clocked 51.46s to win the gold. This magnificent win has placed Hima within the elite club of Indian athletes who have brought valor to the country by winning medals at the World U20 Championships.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5fyv6swgxA[/embed]

Video Courtesy: YouTube