Sprinter Hima Das on Thursday scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman athlete to win a gold at the world level as she clinched the top spot in the women's 400m final race in the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Tampere (Finland).
The 18-year-old Das, a pre-tournament favourite, clocked 51.46s to win the gold, which triggered a wild celebration at the Indian camp. This was though not her personal best as she had clocked 51.13 last month in Guwahti at the National Inter State Championships.
While her achievement was being celebrated and hailed all across the nation, she couldn't control her tears when the national anthem was played during her medal ceremony. Hima was captured on camera shedding tears of joy and pride as she stood on the top of the podium.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday posted a video of her race and praised her.
"Unforgettable moments from @HimaDas8’s victory. Seeing her passionately search for the Tricolour immediately after winning and getting emotional while singing the National Anthem touched me deeply. I was extremely moved. Which Indian won’t have tears of joy seeing this!"
President Ram Nath Kovind too lauded Das' unprecedented feat.
"Congratulations to our sensational sprint star Hima Das for winning the 400m gold in the World Under-20 Championship. This is India's first ever track gold in a World Championship. A very proud moment for Assam and India, Hima; now the Olympic podium beckons!" he wrote on Twitter.
Das won the gold medal in the women's 400m event, where she started as the pre-tournament favourite and won gold by clocking a time of 51.46 seconds.
