- Hima Das of India created history on July 12 by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold at the IAAF World Under- 20 Athletics Championships in Tempere, Finland.
- The 18-year-old Das clinched the top spot in the women’s 400 meters final race on the third day of the competitions. She clocked 51.46 seconds to win the gold.
- Her achievement is so big because no Indian track athlete (seniors or juniors) has ever medalled in the World Championships. Anju Bobby George did it in the seniors and Neeraj in the juniors but neither was track. This is historic. Heart swells with pride.
- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has congratulated athlete Hima Das on winning Gold in 400m of World U20 Championships. Mr. Modi 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”.
