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Hima Das, of India, celebrates her victory in women's 400 meter race at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, Thursday, July 12, 2018. (Kalle Parkkinen/Lehtikuva via AP) Image Credit: AP

Dubai: Hima Das, an 18-year-old from the Indian state of Assam, made history as the first Indian track athlete to become a world champion. Das won a gold at the 400 metre final in Finland, at Tampere’s World U20 Championships. On July 12, the International Association of Athletics Federation tweeted through their official Twitter account @iaaforg: BOOM! What a display from HIMA DAS! India’s own brings home the gold from Tampere after clocking a huge 51.46-400m, defeating Miklos [Romania] (52.07) and Manson [US] (52.28).”

Her historic win was welcomed by Indians with an outpour of congratulatory messages on social media lauding her. Many including prominent actors and sports people shared messages for Das.

Indian politician @RahulGandhi posted a video: “In the video below, you will see what makes Hima Das, Gold medallist at the world under-20 Athletics Championship, in Finland, so special! This is India’s first ever Gold in a track event at a world championship. I salute her achievement & congratulate her on her historic win.”

Actress @ReallySwara posted: “SO SO SO many congratulations to #HimaDas You made us all so proud! #india #girlpower”

And, Indian football team captain Sunil Chetri (@chetrisunil11) tweeted: “The biggest positive to come out of what Hima Das has achieved isn’t the medal, it’s the hope that India can. Take a bow, champion!”

Tweep @theskindoctor13 posted: “Hima Das created history, became the FIRST EVER Indian to win a gold at a World level track event. She clocked 51.46 sec for 400m. 95 per cent of Indian men (including me) can’t match that speed. A brilliant message for all those who think or say that women are physically weaker sex.”

Twitter user @Bhayankur proudly posted: “‘India’s never won a medal at the track events’, screams the commentator ‘But Das has done it here...’, he adds. What an achievement Hima Das! Gold medal!”