The world is a different place all together for sprinter Hima Das ever since she became the world under-20 champion in women's 400m. The 18-year-old, followed it up with one gold and two silver medals at the recently concluded Asian Games in Jakarta. The sprinter from Assam, now popularly called “Dhing Express”, has been showered with cash awards and felicitations on her return. She has also been nominated for the Arjuna Award this year.
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A rushed meeting with family at home, and Hima is back in New Delhi. Her schedule is packed despite this being off season for her. A full house of mediapersons awaited her patiently for over an hour at a brand association announcement. But Hima looked far from ruffled while responding to the queries.
Asked about the training schedule in off season, Hima said, “I will get back to training in two days.” On plans for the new season, she said, “There is a lot to look forward to—Asian Championships, SAFF Games and World Championship. I will try to work hard and give my best in these competitions.”
That she is truly a world-class athlete in making, is now established beyond doubt. Felicitations apart, Hima has been signed on by sports management company IOS. Seeing the potential in her, international sports brand Adidas announced signing up of the Assamese sprinter. And thus, among a bevy of cricket stars like Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and squash star Dipika Pallikal, India's latest track sensation finds a place for herself. She is the first Indian track and field athlete to become the brand ambassador of an international sportswear brand.
In the IAAF under-20 World Championships held in Tampere, Finland, in July 2018, Hima had scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold at the event. She clocked 51.46 seconds to win the 400m. She then went on to win a silver medal in the Asian Games 400m, clocking 50.79 seconds, breaking the national record. Asked how tough will it be for her to hit the sub 50-second mark, Hima said, “Right now, the only thing on my mind is to bring my timing from 50.79 to 50.78 secs.”
