Athletics Federation of India (AFI) said on Wednesday that Indian sprinter Hima Das has been ruled out of the World Championships 2019 due to a back injury. AFI took to Twitter and wrote: “Unfortunately 400m athlete #HimaDas will not compete at the @iaaforg World Championships 2019 #Doha2019 due to back injury.”
Hima Das Ruled Out of Doha World Championships 2019
Earlier on September 9, AFI selection committee had named Das for the tournament to be held in Doha from September 27 to October 6. The junior world 400m champion was named in the 4x400m relay and 4x400m mixed relay teams.
In the absence of Hima Das, Jisna Mathew, MR Poovamma, Revathi Veeramani, Subha Venkatesan, V K Vismaya and Ramraj Vithya were been entered for the women’s 4x400m relay race while Jisna, Poovamma, and Vismaya were named along with Jacob Amoj, Muhammed Anas and Noah Tom Nirmal in the initial list for 4×400 m mixed relay race.
Although, it is to be noted that the AFI had time until September 16 to include Hima Das’s name but the apex body of Indian athletics came out with the confirmation about the young Assamese runner on Wednesday evening.
Reportedly, the ace sprinter clinched five gold medals recently. She won the fifth medal at the Nove Mesto Athletics Meet on July 20. She clocked a timing of 52.09 seconds to complete the 400m race, registering her season-best timing. She also won gold in 200m in Tabor Athletic Meet.
Hima Das has been struggling with back injuries ever since it troubled her at last year’s Asian Games. Notably, Hima had pulled out of heats at the Asian Championships in Doha earlier this year. Hima though was reportedly in pain while running longer distances and she failed to qualify for 400m at Doha World Championships. Sprinter Dutee Chand’s name was added in 100m after she received an invite from IAAF.
