Golden girl Hima Das won the 400 m race at the U-20 IAAF World Championship

‘Fali Dilu’ (I killed the competition) was the first reaction of India’s golden girl Hima Das. After scorching the track in the final of the U-20 World Championship in Tampere, Finland. “I am happy to create history but rather than chasing gold, my emphasis was on the timing. A good timing will automatically ensure medals. Whenever I run, I want to create a landmark, a milestone which will not be erased for a long time.’’ says the new sporting sensation from Assam. She created history, becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in a track event at the World Championship.

The 18-year-old started in lane four. She finished the race with a timing of 51.46 seconds, slower than her 51.13 that she clocked in Guwahati. “During the heats and the semi-finals here in Finland, I was slightly complacent in the last few steps towards the close of the race and I wanted to rectify it in the final,’’ reveals Hima. She was confident about her victory . Though the teenager had to endure a few nervous moments before the race. Because of a brief spell of rain at the venue. But the showers stopped just before the final.

Back in Guwahati, coaches Nabajit Malakar and Nipon Das, who have been credited to have unearthed the rare talent, are overjoyed. “She is still a work in progress. Hima needs to work on her technique especially at the start of a race to compliment her god-gifted endurance levels. For Hima and her team who have been working with her, their aim now is to bring her timing from 51 seconds to 50 seconds in the 400 metres.’’ says Nabajit Malakar.

Congratulations Hima Das for making the whole of India proud.