Hima Das is progressing in the right direction, says AFI performance director
Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Performance Director Volker Herrmann has opined that star sprinter Hima Das is close to reaching her peak fitness levels. Since the start of July, Das has won a total of five races - four in 200m and one in 400m event - in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Indian athlete Hima Das is on fire at the moment having won five successive medals on the international circuit already. In the last three weeks, Das has won four 200m events and one 400m race across Poland and the Czech Republic. Despite the lack of competition in the tournaments, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Performance Director - Volker Herrmann - reckons that the young 19-year-old starlet is slowly but steadily approaching her peak level.
"Hima is progressing in the right direction. If you want to run sub 50 seconds (in 400m) you also have to be able to run sub 22.80 in 200m. She is getting closer," Hermann told PTI sources.
Hima is yet to qualify in either 200m or 400m for the World Championship which is scheduled to be held in Doha from September 26 onwards. The World Championships qualifying mark stands at 23.02 and 51.80.
Recently, Das’ male compatriot Muhammed Anas has qualified for the World Championships after he improved on his own 400m national record last week. The German director further added that 25 to 30 Indian athletes can qualify for next year's Tokyo Olympics.
"We also have Muhammed Anas breaking his own record and that is quite promising. All around the world, the athletes are facing the same problem. The coaches have to rush the whole preparation model. The athletes will need to peak twice, the first (peak) right now and second by the end of September. We are preparing a series of competition to raise our performance level and then we will continue on a slightly higher level with higher intensity towards World Championships.
"In men's and women's 400m relay, the eight finalists at World Championships will directly qualify for Tokyo and in certain ways, that is the easiest for us to qualify. Mixed 400m relay is another one we can qualify. Then, we are in a good situation in javelin throw and 400m. Tokyo is exactly one year from now. We will work on the strengths and weaknesses of our athletes to do our best. But we need to look forward to 2024 and 2028 Olympics," Herrmann added.
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