U-20 World Athletics: Hima Das becomes 1st Indian to win gold at track event

Hima is now the second Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track and field event at the World championships after Neeraj Chopra.
U-20 World Athletics: Hima Das becomes 1st Indian to win gold at track event
U-20 World Athletics: Hima Das becomes 1st Indian to win gold at track event
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India's Hima Das created history by winning the gold medal in the women's 400 metre event at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland on Thursday.

Hima registered a time of 51.46 seconds in the final at the Ratina Stadium to finish top of the podium.

She became the first Indian athlete to achieve this feat in a track event at the IAAF World Athletics Championships. 

Besides, she is also the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at any athletics meet at the world level. 

"I am very happy to win the gold in the World Junior Championships. I want to thank all the Indians back home and also those who were here cheering me. It was very encouraging to have this kind of support," she said after winning the race.

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore congratulated Hima on her achievement. 

Hailing from Dhing village in Assam's Nagaon district, she is now the second Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track and field event at the world championships. 

In the 2016 edition in Poland, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had won the gold medal. 

Andrea Miklos of Romania took silver with a personal best time of 52.07 seconds. Taylor Manson of the US registered 52.28 seconds to finish third.

Hima had done well in the earlier rounds as well, winning Heat 4 with a time of 52.25 seconds. She emerged on top in the semi-finals as well, winning her race in 52.10 seconds.

Jisna Matthew, the other Indian in the fray, also showed early promise, winning Heat 5 with a time of 54.32 seconds. But the Kerala girl crashed out in the semi-finals, where she finished fifth with 53.86 seconds.

"Very proud of Hima for creating history. It is one of the proudest moments of my life and for Indian athletics. Congratulations to Hima and her coaches, the government and SAI for their support to AFI," Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla told PTI.

With IANS inputs

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