One positive fallout of India having lost the World Cup semifinals is that Indian sports fans are paying attention to something other than cricket for a change. We had Dutee Chand's gold medal receive the sort of attention it deserved. Another top Indian athlete – Hima Das – is also helping put India on the athletics map in a big way.
It was at the Poznan Athletics Grand Prix in Poland where Hima Das won the gold medal in the 200 m event.
Tajinder Pal Singh Toor (National record holder shot putter) won the bronze in the shot putt event while Muhammed Anas came third in the 200 m race to win bronze for India. K.S. Jeevan also won the bronze for the men's 400m race.
The Kunto Athletics Meet was the venue of the next gold medal for Hima Das. This was her second top of the podium finish in the space of one week.
#WorkingHard tweeted Das and received hundreds of good wishes and congratulations in reply. Other sportspersons and celebs also took the time to congratulate Das and wish her well.
Hima Das has now won her third international gold medal in less than two weeks. She did this at the Klando Athletics meet at the Czech Republic.
Not only did he win gold in the 400 m race, he also bettered his own national record with an improved timing. With this win, he qualifies for the World Athletics Championships which will be held in Doha starting in the end of September.
The Indian trio of Vipin Kasana, Abishek Singh and Davinger Singh Kang were the top three performers in the javelin throw event. Kasana and Hima Das fought against all odds including personal injuries, reportedly, to do their best and to achieve their top of the podium finishes.
In a nation starved of sports icons other than cricket players, the achievements of Hima Das and other athletes are an inspiration.
Many of these athletes come out of the remotest corners of India and excel – not because they had the opportunities and the training required – but in spite of not having the facilities necessary to train hard and consistently enough to break into the international arena. As such their achievements are all the more commendable.
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