"Through determination, self-focus and discipline you can accomplish anything in life." — Kimberley Guilfoyle
This was proven true by the girl who clinched onto India's first gold medal ever — male or female — in a global track event, whose name shall now be written in golden letters in the history of Indian sports.
Her determination and perseverance towards her goal led to accomplishing it, even after having innumerable obstacles that could have kept her from where she has reached today. Along with the power and strength to overtake champions from all over the world, she also had the courage and consistency to overtake the hardships and obstacles she came across in the race of success.
The Never-Dying Attitude
At the IAAF World U-20 Athletics Championships that she recently won, making history and earning so much glory and fame across the world, it looked like the gold would not be in the hands of Hima in the first 300m of the 400m track event. But the 18-year-old Hima Das from India surged ahead suddenly during the last lap as she aimed for nothing but a gold for the country.
"The last 100m has always been my strength," says the champion.
Nabajit Malakar and Nipon Das, the two coaches, talked to Hima's family about letting her stay in Guwahati to start the training that would make her an athlete to watch out for on a global scale. Her supportive parents were more than happy to let their daughter power up her wings to success — as long as she had a bed to sleep in and three meals to feed on.
Top-Notch Patriotism
Watching the emotional Hima sing the national anthem with so much affection for the country was touching. She was captured on camera shedding tears of joy and pride as she stood on the podium while the national anthem was played at her medal ceremony.
The Prominent 'Gamosa'
While we saw Hima flaunting the traditional hand-woven towel called 'gamosa' in Assam, no one knew how precious it was for Hima and her family. It is the symbol of her state's cultural heritage. Her father proudly expressed how glad he was that now the whole world would not only know Hima but also her hometown of Dhing in Assam.
Hima Das is not just a gold medal. She is proof that the world belongs equally to every determined soul willing to run their last 100 metres at full force — regardless of gender, background, or the odds stacked against them.