Under-20 World Athletics | Hima Das clinches gold to claim top position in 400 m final

Hima Das had given a promising performance in the Commonwealth Games 2018 as well. Finishing her sprint in 51.32 seconds, she had finished in the sixth position in the women's 400m final. In the 58th National Inter-state Senior Athletic Championship too, she bagged a gold in the 200 m category to finish in 23.10 seconds, which makes her one of the strongest contenders for India in the Asiad.

Hima completed her sprint in 51.46 seconds, claiming the top position among her opponents. Andrea Miklos from Romania occupied the second position, completing her sprint in 52.07 seconds. Taylor Manson came third after clocking 52.28 seconds.

With a timing of 52.10 seconds, she led the overall time charts in the semifinals on Wednesday. The same day, Gaurav had to face disappointment as he came fifth in men's 400m final, placing himself at an overall 42nd with a timing of 48.61. In the men's long jump, M Shreeshankar finished sixth with the best jump of 7.75m.

There have been other players securing medals in World Junior Championships. Seema Punia won a bronze in discus throwing in 2002, while Navjeet Kaur Dhillon won a bronze for discus throwing in 2014. Hima Das, however, has joined javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra who won a gold in Poland in the last edition held in 2016.