Hima Das wins Gold at Federation Cup, But Fails To Qualify For Asian Athletics Championship

India’s speed star Hima Das clinched the gold medal in the Women 400 m displaying a superb performance at the Federation Cup Athletics meet in Patiala today.

She clocked 52.88 seconds to win the gold medal. M R Poovamma of Karnataka (53.15 seconds) and Sarita Ben of Gujarat (53.28 seconds) finished second and third respectively.

Secured 2nd place at 23rd federation cup held at patiala, @afiindia @jaideepSTOI @Olympics @indian_athletes @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/ZgWOAZWCdb

— POOVAMMA M R (@PoovammaMR) March 18, 2019

Hima made a classic return after she took a break of six weeks due to her Higher Secondary examination.

However, her performance was not upto the mark as she scored 54.45s in the first heat and then although improved to 53.40s in the semi-final but remained fourth in overall position after the end of the semifinal round.

Indian poster girl @HimaDas8 dipped 53sec and clocked 52.88sec at Federation Cup…
watch the video: https://t.co/uOAVrvASTT

— Sri Lanka Athletics (@CeylonAthletics) March 19, 2019

The timing was a few seconds more than the Asian Championships qualifying standard of 52.75 set by the Athletics Federation of India.

Also Read: Top 5 Young Achievers in Indian Sports

Hima sets tracks on fire

#FedCup2019 Women’s 400m Final Result-
Congrats @HimaDas8 @PoovammaMR #HimaDas#IndianAthletics#TeamIndia-Athletics pic.twitter.com/7Id4CDQLGs

— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) March 18, 2019

In her first race of the year on March 8 at the 3rd Indian Grand Prix, she came fourth.

This time in Patiala at the Federation Cup, Hima scored 54.45 in the heats and then improved to 53.40 in the semi-final and yet remained in the fourth position when she took a position for the final.

But in the final, she blazed the track and was clearly ahead of her rival M R Poovamma by leaving her one and half-stride behind.

Won gold medal in the 400 m final of Federation Cup today. Thank you my coaches and @afiindia pic.twitter.com/1mPg4WE4dQ

— Hima Das (@HimaDas8) March 18, 2019

Hima narrowly failed to qualify for the Asian Athletics Championship which is scheduled to be held at Doha from April 26 as the qualifying timing was 52.75s.

Meanwhile, another girl from Assam Tundla Narzary today bagged bronze medal in the women shot put event in the same championship with a performance of 14.82m.

Also Read: Dutee Chand Is One Indian Athlete Sprinting Through Gender Barriers

How other Indian sprinters performed

Finished on the top in 1500 m in Federation Cup. Thank you all for the support. @afiindia @iosindiaoff pic.twitter.com/K9PtxjW8tu

— Jinson Johnson (@JinsonJohnson5) March 19, 2019

Jinson Johnson and Rajiv Arokia won the men’s 1500m and 400m respectively to qualify for the Asian Championships. Heptathlete Swapna Barman also qualified for continental showpiece after winning the seven-event discipline with 5900 aggregate points.

#AvinashSable set a new national record of 8:28:94 min in men’s 3000m steeplechase at the #FedCup2019 and clinched the gold.?
Congratulations Avinash!?? pic.twitter.com/Pbt7GtGwtG

— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) March 19, 2019

The 24-year-old Avinash Sable from Maharashtra was the star of the day as he came up with a new national record time of 8:28.94 in the men’s 3000m steeplechase within six months of his earlier national record of 8:29.80 in September last year.

“I was in the wilderness for two months after parting ways with Nikolai sir. I heard people saying that I will not be able to do another record. Today I have proved it that I can run at 8:29. My timing can win a medal in the Asian Championships”, Sable said.

Ajay Kumar Saroj and Rahul, both of Uttar Pradesh, also crossed the Asian Championships qualifying time of 3:46.00 by clocking 3:43.57 and 3:44.94 respectively. But only two athletes from a country can compete in an event and the AFI selection committee will take a call on the matter.

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