Hima clocked 51.46 seconds in the final at the Ratina Stadium to become the first Indian athlete to win gold in a world championship across all age groups.
Hima had fared well in the earlier rounds, too, winning Heat 4 with a time of 52.25 seconds. She emerged on top in the semi-finals as well, winning her race in 52.10 seconds.
Congratulatory messages regarding her achievements have been pouring in, with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his happiness.
“India is delighted and proud of athlete Hima Das, who won a historic Gold in the 400m of World U20 Championships. Congratulations to her! This accomplishment will certainly inspire young athletes in the coming years,” he wrote.
Other sportspersons, too, congratulated her.
Your 51.46 sec dash and years of hard work has paid off, #HimaDas. Many congratulations on winning Gold at the World U20 athletics championship. This is just the beginning of a new era. Many more to come. Keep up the hard work! #GoldenGirl #DreamsComeTrue pic.twitter.com/tL6tqq2hKI
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 13, 2018
The biggest positive to come out of what Hima Das has achieved isn’t the medal, it’s the hope that India can. Take a bow, champion!
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) July 13, 2018
Wow! So proud of you Hima Das. Incredible, historic achievement on becoming the first Indian track athlete to win a medal at any global event winning Gold at women’s 400m World U-20 Championships clocking a time of 51.47 seconds. Thank you for the happiness. pic.twitter.com/Cs5wY8sDuM
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 12, 2018
Hima Das creates history by winning Gold medal in 400m of World U20 Championships. She is 1st Indian athlete to win Gold in track event of U-20 World Championships. You have made 🇮🇳 proud. #NariShakti
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) July 12, 2018