Hima Das

Hima Das – Life, Career, and Inspiring Quotes

Hima Das (born January 9, 2000), nicknamed the “Dhing Express,” is an Indian sprinter and national record holder. Read her biography, major achievements, philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Hima Das is one of India’s brightest stars in track and field. In just a few years, she rose from a small village in Assam to the international stage, rewriting Indian sprinting history. She holds the national record in the 400 m, is the first Indian to win a gold in a global track event, and serves as a symbol of perseverance, grit, and humble ambition. In this article, we explore her early life, athletic journey, challenges, philosophy, famous quotes, and lessons from her story.

Early Life and Background

Hima Das was born on January 9, 2000 in Kandhulimari, a village near Dhing, in the Nagaon district of Assam, India.

Growing up in modest conditions, Hima helped with fieldwork and household chores and often ran barefoot on village paths and fields. football, playing with local boys in her village.

A key turning point came when she attended an inter-school athletics camp at a nearby Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV). A physical education teacher spotted her pace and encouraged her to try sprinting.

She attended Dhing Public High School for her early education. 12th standard exams while competing internationally.

Athletic Career & Achievements

Breakthrough: World U20 Championships 2018

Hima made her international breakthrough at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. She won the gold medal in the 400 m with a time of 51.46 s, becoming the first Indian sprinter ever to win a gold at a global track event.

This victory put her on the map and gave India its first-ever gold in a track event at a world athletics championship.

Asian Games & National Record

Later in 2018, at the Asian Games in Jakarta, she qualified for the 400 m final and clocked 50.79 s, which set a new Indian national record — a time that stood as the national benchmark. silver medal in that event.

In the relays, she contributed to gold medals: in the women’s 4×400 m relay and mixed 4×400 m relay, alongside her teammates, marking historic wins for India.

2019 & Beyond

In 2019, Hima continued her success in Europe, winning gold medals in 200 m events at meets in Poznań (Poland) and Kladno (Czech Republic), and further successes in 400 m events in other European meets.

Her personal bests (as of recent records) include:

• 100 m: ~11.63 s (2021)

• 200 m: ~22.88 s (2021)

• 400 m: 50.79 s (Indian National Record)

She also joined Assam Police as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) under a state sports policy appointment, while continuing her athletic ambitions.

Setback: Anti-Doping Suspension

In 2023, Hima Das faced a provisional suspension by India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for failing to submit her whereabouts details on three occasions within a 12-month period.

After a disciplinary hearing, she was cleared in March 2024, but later received a 16-month retrospective suspension, effective from July 22, 2023 to November 21, 2024.

Philosophy, Personality & Traits

• Humble & Grounded: Despite fame, Hima often calls herself a “village girl” and remains deeply connected to her roots.

• Hard work & discipline: She has spoken of waking up at 5 AM and training intensely morning and evening.

• Focus on self-improvement: Rather than obsess over medals, she emphasizes improving her own times and performance.

• Resilience & positivity: She views success and failure both as parts of life, accepting both with equanimity.

• Faith & humility: She frequently mentions her belief in God, trusting in time and destiny.

Famous Quotes by Hima Das

Here are some notable quotations attributed to her:

“I used to wake up at 5 A.M., and my routine involved six hours of training, both in the morning and evening.”

“When I was in Class II, we used to walk about 5 km to school. … One day, a friend went in a car and left me behind. I was so angry, I wanted to run and outrace the car.”

“I don’t think about medals. I just think of bettering my own time.”

“Our village is very small … But nothing mattered, as I always knew what I was doing and why I was doing it.”

“Whatever you do, do it from your heart. It won’t happen just by sitting at home.”

“We are human beings, at the end of the day. Success and failure are a part and parcel of our life.”

These lines reflect her humility, groundedness, and internal drive.

Lessons from Hima Das’s Journey

1. Roots don’t limit dreams
   Coming from a remote village didn’t stop her from competing on the global stage.

2. Small nudges can change destinies
   The encouragement from one teacher toward sprinting altered her path.

3. Focus on process over outcome
   By emphasizing time improvement, she keeps her mindset growth-oriented.

4. Success comes with sacrifice
   Early mornings, rigorous training, and mental toughness accompany athletic triumphs.

5. Resilience in adversity
   Even with suspensions or setbacks, maintaining faith and persistence is key.

6. Giving back matters
   Her public service role in Assam Police shows a desire to contribute beyond athletics.

Conclusion

Hima Das’s story is one of transformation—from fields in Assam to tracks across continents. She embodies the power of dreams, discipline, and grounded ambition. As she returns from suspension and continues her athletic pursuit, her journey remains a beacon for young sportspersons across India.