Hima Das: The Dhing Express
In the annals of Indian athletics, certain moments stand as monumental turning points, shattering long-held barriers and redefining the realm of possibility. For decades, India, a nation of a billion people, had yearned for a global champion in track and field. The legendary 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh had missed an Olympic bronze by a whisker in 1960; P.T. Usha suffered the same fate by one-hundredth of a second in 1984. These near-misses became part of the national sporting psyche—tales of heroic effort that ended in heartbreak. Then, on a summer evening in Tampere, Finland, in 2018, a teenager from a remote village in Assam sprinted her way into history, not just winning, but dominating. Hima Das, the farmer's daughter with lightning in her feet, became India's first-ever track and field gold medalist at a World Championship, heralding a new dawn for Indian athletics.
Early Life & Background: A Diamond in the Rice Paddies
Hima Das was born on January 9, 2000, in Kandhulimari, a small village near the town of Dhing in Assam's Nagaon district. She was the youngest of five children born to Ronjit and Jonali Das, humble rice farmers. Her childhood was not spent on synthetic tracks with modern equipment, but in the vast, muddy rice paddies of her village. Here, amid the rhythms of rural life, her raw athletic talent first found expression.
From a young age, Hima was drawn to sports, particularly football. She played with the local boys, her blistering speed making her a formidable striker. She dreamt of one day playing for India, but her path was destined for the athletics track. During an inter-district competition, her natural talent was spotted by Shamsul Hoque, a physical education teacher at her school. He encouraged her to pursue athletics, but it was another coach, Nipon Das, who would fundamentally change the trajectory of her life.
Nipon Das, an athletics coach with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, saw Hima compete in Guwahati. He was astounded by her raw power and speed, even though she was running barefoot on a grassy track. Convinced he had found a once-in-a-generation talent, he made a pivotal decision. He travelled to Hima's village and urged her parents to let her move to Guwahati, the state capital, where she could receive professional training. For a family of modest means, sending their teenage daughter 140 kilometers away was a daunting prospect. But seeing the conviction in the coach's eyes and the fire in their daughter's, they agreed. This act of faith would soon be rewarded on a global stage.
In Guwahati, Hima's life transformed. She was enrolled in the state-run sports academy, living in a small rented room near the Sarusajai Sports Complex. Under Nipon Das's guidance, she began her formal training, her body and technique being meticulously honed. Her journey from the muddy football fields of Dhing to the synthetic tracks of Guwahati was complete. The world was about to meet the "Dhing Express."
Career & Major Contributions: The Golden Year and Beyond
Hima's ascent in the world of athletics was nothing short of meteoric. The year 2018 became the defining period of her career, a whirlwind of record-breaking performances that captivated a nation.
The Commonwealth Games Debut In April 2018, at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Hima made her mark on the international stage. Competing in the 400 metres, she reached the final, a significant achievement for a young athlete at such a prestigious event. She finished sixth, clocking a time of 51.32 seconds. She was also part of the women's 4x400m relay team. While no medals were won, the experience was invaluable, setting the stage for what was to come.
The Historic Triumph at Tampere On July 12, 2018, at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, Hima Das ran the race that would etch her name in history. In the women's 400m final, she was not the favourite. As the race began, she had a sluggish start and was trailing for the first 300 meters. As the runners entered the final bend, Hima was in fourth place, seemingly out of contention for the gold.
What happened next was a breathtaking display of power and determination. In the final 80 metres, Hima unleashed an extraordinary burst of speed, a blistering acceleration that saw her surge past her competitors one by one. She powered through the finish line, head held high, leaving the rest of the field in her wake. Her official time was 51.46 seconds. The girl from Dhing was a World Champion.
She had become the first Indian track athlete—male or female—to win a gold medal at any World Championship event. As the Indian national anthem played during the medal ceremony, a visibly emotional Hima stood on the podium, tears streaming down her face. It was a moment of immense pride, not just for her, but for all of India. The world had taken notice, and back home, a new sporting hero was born.
Dominance at the Asian Games The momentum from her world championship victory carried her to the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Here, she proved that her Tampere win was no fluke. She shattered the Indian national record in the 400m heats and then broke it again in the final, clocking an incredible 50.79 seconds to win the silver medal.
Her hunger for gold was satisfied in the relay events. She was a crucial member of two gold-medal-winning teams:
- Women's 4×400m Relay: Hima, alongside M. R. Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad, and V. K. Vismaya, clinched the gold for India.
- Mixed 4×400m Relay: In the inaugural mixed relay event, Hima, Muhammed Anas, M. R. Poovamma, and Arokia Rajiv won a silver medal, which was later upgraded to gold after the Bahrain team was disqualified for a doping violation.
The European Gold Rush of 2019 In July 2019, Hima embarked on a competitive tour of Europe that turned into a spectacular gold rush. In the space of just 19 days, she won five successive gold medals in various meets across Poland and the Czech Republic, primarily in the 200m and 400m events. While these were not top-tier global competitions, the string of victories demonstrated her consistency and fighting spirit, further cementing her celebrity status in India.
Challenges and Resilience Following her sensational rise, Hima's career was unfortunately hampered by a persistent back injury. The strain of competing at the highest level took its toll, forcing her to miss several key events. The injury made it difficult to compete in her pet event, the 400m, and she shifted her focus to shorter sprints like the 100m and 200m. A hamstring injury sustained during the National Inter-State Championships in 2021 agonizingly ended her dream of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.
Despite these setbacks, Hima's spirit remains unbroken. In February 2021, her achievements were formally recognized by her home state when she was appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Assam Police, a role she embraced with pride. She continues to train and compete, aiming to recapture the form that once made her the fastest junior quarter-miler in the world.
Legacy & Influence: The Express that Inspired a Nation
Hima Das's legacy extends far beyond her collection of medals. Her story is a powerful testament to the idea that talent can emerge from the most unexpected of places.
A Symbol of Hope and Aspiration Her journey from a nondescript village in Assam to the pinnacle of world athletics is a profoundly inspirational narrative. She shattered the notion that one needs elite facilities and a privileged background to succeed. For millions of young Indians, especially girls from rural and underprivileged communities, Hima became a symbol of what is possible with raw talent, hard work, and unwavering self-belief. Her nickname, the "Dhing Express," became a household name, synonymous with speed, power, and the pride of a nation.
Breaking the Barrier in Indian Athletics The historical significance of her gold medal at the World U20 Championships cannot be overstated. It was a psychological breakthrough for Indian athletics, a field long dominated by stories of 'so close, yet so far.' Hima proved that an Indian could not only compete with the best in the world but could beat them. Her victory has inspired a new generation of athletes and has contributed to a renewed focus and investment in track and field in India.
Today, Hima Das is remembered as the trailblazer who brought India its first global gold on the track. Her tearful salute on the podium in Tampere remains one of the most iconic images in Indian sporting history. While injuries may have slowed her progress, her place as a pioneer is secure. She is a living legend, a national treasure, and the unstoppable "Dhing Express" who showed an entire country how to dream, and how to win.