Didn’t expect Arjuna this year: Hima Das

NEW DELHI: India’s newest sprint sensation Hima Das Tuesday said she didn’t expect to be nominated for the Arjuna award this year, despite her stunning season in international athletics.
The 18-year-old from Assam was among the 20 sportspersons recommended for the Arjuna Award, which is subject to approval by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. “I didn’t expect to win the Arjuna this year. I was thinking may be next year, I will be considered,” said Hima, who clinched the gold medal at the U-20 World Championship in Finland, on the sidelines of a promotional event organised by Adidas.
Hima was on Tuesday made the brand ambassador of the sports manufacturing giant. Nicknamed the “Dhing Express”, Hima has been a sensation this year as she added three medals — a gold and two silvers from the 18th Asian Games — to her World Championship gold.
The star sprinter won gold in Women’s 4×400m and silver medals in mixed 4x400m and 400m individual event. Asked when she will start training, Hima said: “The season is over now. Next year, there is South Asian Games, Asian Championship and World Championship, so to prepare I will do it during training. There are few targets in my mind. I will do that one by one. People expects a lot for me now and I will achieve that. I scored 50.79 at Asian Games, so even 50.78 is a step ahead,” she added. (PTI)