18-Year-Old Hima Das Gives India Its Maiden Track Gold Medal at the World U20 Athletic Championships

Hima Das, a rice farmer’s daughter from Dhing village in Nagaon district, who just started her competitive career just 18 months ago, got India’s first ever track Gold Medal in the World U20 Athletic Championships. She conquered the 400-metre final race, at the global event that was held at the Ratina Stadium in Tampere, Finland.

Hima was a bit nervous and had a slow start as a result of which, she trailed at the home stretch. However, in the final 80m, she skyrocketed past three rivals at 51.46 seconds to taste glory and become the first ever woman athlete gold medallist from India across all levels. After this win, her coach Nipon Das said “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.”

With this historical victory, Hima joins a group of elites with athletes like Navjeet Kaur Dhillon (bronze, discus), Neeraj Chopra (gold, javelin) and Seema Punia (bronze, discus) who have won the medals for their country in the World U20 Athletic Championships as well.  

Today, the sprinter was congratulated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “India is delighted and proud of athlete Hima Das, who won a historic Gold in the 400m of World U20 Championships... This accomplishment will certainly inspire young athletes in the coming years,” the prime minister stated on Twitter.

After the race, Hima was overwhelmed with her ecstatic performance and the woman who cried when the Indian national anthem was played, said “ Bringing a medal for the country is the biggest achievement and that is why I am very happy. I am very proud to give this gift to the people of India."

Hima Das, according to her coach, is a God-gifted talent and the young sprinter promises to add more silverware to India’s tally in the future.