Newfound celebrity status won’t take Hima’s focus off sprints
Her hair dyed with a thick streak of bronze, Hima Das walked confidently into the packed hall that chanted her name every time her achievements were announced.
For long, Indian athletics has searched for a personality who could connect with the masses, and on Tuesday, the sinewy 18-year-old, who took up sport because her first love, football, “had no following”, emerged as the face that could mobilise hundreds to take up track events.
The way Hima blazed the track in the Jakarta Asian Games, where she won gold in women’s 4x400m relay and silver in 400m with a national record to boot, it seemed the Assam girl would go on talking endlessly about her achievements.
On the contrary, Hima was reluctant to talk about her exploits. When a question popped up about her late burst to win the 400m final at the Junior World Championships in Finland ear- lier this year, she said, “I just did what I’ve learnt in training. The first 300m, I go slow and pick up speed at the bend. That’s Hima’s style… samajh lijiye (understand this).”
The ‘Dhing Express’, as she is popularly called since she hails from a district which goes by that name, gained confidence with every question. When someone asked if she had expected the Arjuna Award so soon in her career, Hima said, “Certainly not. I didn’t expect I will get the Arjuna at 18. I thought 19. But accha lag raha hai (I’m happy).”
Celebrity status brings with it the superfluous questions about change in lifestyle. Hima has had more than her share of those iconic moments at such a young age. So, has it changed her life? “If you ask me, everything… every event that takes place changes your life. The World Championships gold was life changing, the Asian Games medals were life changing, and sitting here in this hotel and interacting with so many people is also life-changing,” said Hima candidly.
“I don’t think much has changed, neither do I want life to change so soon. I only want to think about training and running in my next event. Yes, when I go back home, people try to touch me, hug me… that’s when I get the feeling I have achieved something,” said Hima before the Q&A session came to an abrupt end.
A melee ensued and Hima was mobbed. Photographers stood on chairs to get the best view of the celebrity. Soon, it was time to leave the hall for the next felicitation. A posse of security guards escorted her to a plush room where she could have refreshments before heading to her next stop.
Hima certainly has hit the right track.
NEW DELHI: