Hima Das yesterday scripted history at the ongoing Asian Games 2018 at Jakarta by clinching a silver medal for India at the 400-meter race. However, her parents could not watch their daughter at the moment of glory. All thanks to the power cut in Kandhulimara village in Dhing in Assam's Nagaon district. However, the villagers did arrange a projector for the family, but by the time the generator started working, Hima’s run was over.
However, this is not the first time that her parents have missed out on watching her run. Power cuts interrupted even the last time when Hima clinched a gold medal in track events at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. “It's a regular feature here. We face hours of load shedding every day," Hima's father Ranjit Das told India Today.
However, her parents do not rue about the fact that Hima did not win the gold medal at the Asian Games 2018. “What's important is that her performance has been improving every day,” said her father. While clinching the silver medal, Hima not only broke the national record but also bettered her own timing. The Assam based athlete clocked 50.59 seconds to win the silver medal. It was Bahrain's Salwa Naser who won the gold in a new Games record time 50.09 seconds. Elina Mikhina of Kazakhstan settled for a bronze medal i.e. the third spot as she clocked 52.63 seconds.
After the match, Hima said, “I am satisfied with my performance. I don't think about medals. I just think of bettering my own time. I am happy I was able to better my mark. I am also thinking about Olympics like other athletes, will try to perform best for India."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2018 05:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).