Sprinter Hima Das Withdraws from Asian Games Due to Hamstring Injury, Confirms National Chief Coach
Hima Das, the renowned Indian sprinter, will be unable to participate in the upcoming Asian Games in China due to a hamstring injury. National chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair officially confirmed the news, stating that the 23-year-old athlete sustained the injury in April. Hima’s absence is a significant setback for the Indian athletics team, given her previous success and contributions to the squad. Let’s delve deeper into the details surrounding her injury and its implications.
Hima Das’ Past Achievements
Hima Das, a prominent figure in Indian athletics, secured an individual silver medal in the 400m event at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. She also played a pivotal role in the women’s 4x400m relay quartet, which clinched both the gold and silver medals in Jakarta. Her exceptional performances earned her widespread recognition and established her as a key athlete in the Indian sporting landscape.
Coach Radhakrishnan Nair expressed his disappointment regarding Hima Das’ injury. The sprinter pulled her hamstring and experienced back problems a day before the Indian Grand Prix IV in Bengaluru on April 15. Currently, medical investigations are underway to determine the extent of the injury and plan the necessary treatment. According to the policy of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), it is unlikely that Hima will be able to participate in the Asian Games.
Missed Competitions and National Inter-State Championship
Due to her injury, Hima Das also missed the recent Federation Cup in Ranchi. Initially, there were hopes that she would recover in time to participate in the National Inter-State Championship, which serves as the final selection event for the Hangzhou Asian Games. However, her injury prevents her from competing, posing a challenge for the Indian athletics team in terms of selection and performance.
Certain athletes, including javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and steeplechase silver medallist Avinash Sable, have been granted exemptions from the National Inter-State Championship as they have already proven their capabilities. Additionally, officials from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will conduct ‘In Competition’ (IC) testing at the Kalinga Stadium, ensuring fair play and adherence to anti-doping regulations.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra recently suffered a muscle strain, forcing him to withdraw from two prominent events. However, he has commenced training and is expected to regain full fitness by the end of this month, providing a boost to the Indian athletics team.
