Under 20 World Athletics: Hima Das wins India's first ever gold in women's 400m race

New Delhi: Assam’s Hima Das on Thursday created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Finland.

Hima completed the race in record time of 51.46 seconds in the women's 400m final at the Ratina Stadium on the third day of competitions.

#HimaDas gives #India the most awaited Medal in country's athletics history with an inspiring performance at U20 World Championships #iaaftampere2018 in #Finland #India Celebrates,Congrats Girl!@sebcoe @iaaforg @Adille1 @Ra_THORe @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @NeelamKapur @Onkarkedia pic.twitter.com/rPBrCsGyy4

— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) July 12, 2018

Andrea Miklos of Romania took silver with a personal best time of 52.07 seconds. Taylor Manson of the US registered 52.28 seconds to finish third.

Hima now joins the illustrious company of star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won a gold in Poland in the last edition in 2016 in a world record effort.

I am very happy to win the gold in the World Junior Championships. I want to thank all the Indians back home and also those, who were here cheering me. It was very encouraging to have this kind of support," she said after the race.

Earlier Hima Das finished 6th in the 400m finals, with a personal best of 51.32 sec becoming the first Assamese to compete in the 400m race finals of Commonwealth Games 2018 held in Gold Coast City of Australia.

For her exemplary performance in Commonwealth Games 2018, Union Minister of State for Railways, Rajen Gohain has offered her a job under Railways Sports Quota.

Hima Das hails from a small village at Dhing in Nagaon of Assam. She is the youngest child in the family and her father is a small rice farmer.

Soon after her record-breaking win, Twitter rejoices as India’s President and Celebrities were quick to congratulate her

Congratulations to our sensational sprint star Hima Das for winning the 400m gold in the World Under-20 Championship. This is India’s first ever track gold in a World Championship. A very proud moment for Assam and India, Hima; now the Olympic podium beckons! #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 12, 2018

Hima Das creates history by winning Gold medal in 400m of World U20 Championships. She is 1st Indian athlete to win Gold in track event of U-20 World Championships. You have made 🇮🇳 proud. #NariShakti

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) July 12, 2018

Wow! So proud of you Hima Das. Incredible, historic achievement on becoming the first Indian track athlete to win a medal at any global event winning Gold at women's 400m World U-20 Championships clocking a time of 51.47 seconds. Thank you for the happiness. pic.twitter.com/Cs5wY8sDuM

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 12, 2018

Hima Das!! What a champion!! Congratulations. You make India proud 👏👏👏 U-20 400m World Champion pic.twitter.com/W4wyCHH4UL

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) July 12, 2018

Champion ! Many congratulations Hima Das for creating history winning Gold medal in 400m of World U20 Championships, clocking 51.47s. 1st Indian athlete to win Gold in track event of U-20 World Championships. pic.twitter.com/htnmYsZBBj

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 12, 2018

Congratulations Hima Das for winning GOLD in 400 meter race at the World U20 Athletics Championship.

We all are proud of you.

Way to go 👍 pic.twitter.com/IPvAfs5CL4

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) July 12, 2018

Historic! Congratulations Hima Das for winning India's first Gold at a global track event in Under - 20 World Athletics. Nicely done 👏👏

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 12, 2018

Massive congratulations to Hima Das for winning India’s first ever track Gold medal in the 400m at the U-20 World Championships 👏👏👏@Media_SAI #IndiaontheRise

— Saurav Ghosal (@SauravGhosal) July 12, 2018

You go girl!!!!! Hima Das you make every Indian proud. #Champion #Gold https://t.co/OLO8mLZ6LF

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) July 12, 2018