“Bullet run” of Hima Das makes country proud; scripts history, becomes first Indian to win Gold in track event

Tampere, July 13: Clinching the gold medal at in the 400 m finals at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships, the 18-year-old Indian sprinter Hima Das on Thursday scripted a history. Notably, Hima Das has become first Indian to win Gold in a track event.

 

Soon after the historic triumph of Hima at IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships, the whole country including PM Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, former cricketer Virender Sehwag and Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan extended their wishes via social media.

PM Modi in a tweet said, “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.”

President Ramnath Kovind tweeted, “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.”

While Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore took to a Twitter saying, “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.”

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan was also quick to express his happinesss on twitter saying, “CONGRATULATIONS .. #HimaDas , the first Indian Women to win a GOLD in World Athletic track event EVER ! INDIA is proud of you .. you have given us reason to hold up our heads HIGH ! JAI HIND !! 🇮🇳🇮🇳”

On the other side, former cricketer Virender Sehwag in a tweet said, “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.”

Notably, Hima Das clocked 51.46 seconds to claim the top position in the 400m finals. Andrea Miklos of Romania came second with a timing of 52.07 seconds to claim silver while USA's Taylor Manson took home bronze after clocking 52.28 seconds.

Importantly, Das had also led the overall time charts in the semifinals with a timing of 52.10 seconds on Wednesday. She also finished the first round heats on Tuesday clocking 52.2seconds.

BACKGROUND:

Hima Das clocked an Indian U-20 record of 51.32 seconds to finish sixth in the Commonwealth Games 400m final in Gold Coast in April. Since then, she has gone onto improving her timings. She lowered the Indian U-20 record in 400m to 51.13 seconds while winning gold in the recent National Inter-State Championships in Guwahati.