Hima, Swapna meet gold standard

FEDERATION CUP Asian Games silver medallist in 400m gives better performance; Swapna makes Asian C’ships cut

PATIALA: Assam’s sprint sensation Hima Das gave a befitting reply to her critics, who had written her off following an extremely mediocre showing of 55sec in 400m at the Indian Grand Prix at Sangrur earlier this month, clinching gold, clocking 52.88 sec, on the concluding day of the Federation Cup here on Monday.

Another Jakarta Asian Games show-stopper heptathlete Swapna Barman, who has six digits in both feet, too came with a superb show to clinch gold sporting her new customised shoes.

But Hima’s success was tinged with disappointment as she narrowly missed the Doha Asian Championships qualification mark of 52.75 sec, but she still has a chance of making the grade in trials. The Jakarta Asian Games silver medallist in 400m had to dig deep into her reserves to breast the tape ahead of experienced runners such as Karnataka’s MR Poovamma, and the effort left the 19-year-old gasping for breath.

Her performance though was far below her personal best of 50.79 ses clocked in Jakarta, but satisfying though, considering that she had missed several training sessions in February to appear for her Class 12 B exams in Guwahati. “When I clocked 55 sec in the Indian Grand Prix earlier this month, a lot of people back home started questioning my commitment, some even dismissing me as a one or two-race won- der. It hurt badly. I wasn’t prepared for the race, but just to prove my critics wrong I gave it all I had today,” Hima said after the race.

“I couldn’t train for four-five weeks; just routine exercises but no hard yards. That’s why the timing in my first race (Indian Grand Prix) after the Asian Games in August was disappointing,’’ she said. Hima pleaded with the gathering on Monday to be a bit sympathetic towards her. “I have been doing a lot of hard work but off-field issues impact performance,” she said.

There was intense drama before the race as the starter’s gun didn’t go off twice. But the World Under-20 champion in 400m said, “I didn’t pay much attention and remained focused. I won’t like to comment on that (misfiring gun).”

The 19-year-old, as always, had a slow start and, at 200m mark it seemed a podium finish would elude her as she was placed fourth. But she shifted gears at the last bend and crossed the finish line ahead of the more experienced q u a r t e r mi l e r MR Poovamma, who timed 53.15 sec. Gujarat’s Saritaben Gayakwad was third in 53.28 sec.

Kerala’s 20-year-old Jisna Mathew, coached by track legend PT Usha, had a good start and was in contention for a medal till the 300m mark, but faded away to fifth in 53.34 sec.

Soon after the race, Hima seemed in visible pain and sought help from a physiotherapist. “I’m suffering from lower-back bpain for the last three months, and I aggravated i during the race. Due to the busy schedule, I couldn’t seek treatment in November as I had to go to Turkey for training. On my return in February, I got busy with exams. But now (recovery) will be my top priority,’’ she added.

Asian Games champion in heptathlon Swapna Barman booked a Doha Asian Championships ticket, amassing 5,900 points, 100 points more than the qualification mark. Kerala’s Jinson Johnson overcame a calf injury to clock 3:41.47 in 1500m to also secure a Doha berth.

“’I’m satisfied as it’s the first race of the season for me,” said Johnson, who skipped the Indian Grand Prix due to injury.

In men’s 3000m steeplechase, Army’s Avinash Sable clocked 8:28.94 sec, improving on his national record of 8:29.80 set last year in Bhubaneswar. His performance too fetched him a berth in the Asian Championships.

I couldn’t train for 4-5 weeks; just routine exercises but no hard yards. That’s why the timing in my first race (Indian GP) after the Asian Games was disappointing. HIMA DAS, Asian Games medallist