Please Don't Disturb, Hima Das Appeals To Fans After Asiad Loss

On August 26, sprinter Hima Das had won a silver medal at the women's 400m final of the Asian Games, clocking 50.79 seconds. But according to the athlete, pressure from the people of Assam spoiled her next game. Hima lost concentration and was disqualified from the 200m women's semifinals at Asian Games 2018 after a false start.

The young sprinter then took to Facebook Live to appeal to fans to not put too much pressure on her.

Hima's disqualification came moments after Dutee Chand qualified for the 200m final. Dutee later won the silver medal in the event.

However, later on August 28, Hima along with her teammates Mohd Anas, Poovamma and Arokia Rajiv bagged a silver in the 400m mixed relay. This is the first time the event debuted in the Asiad. The Indian team clocked 3 minute and 15.71 seconds to finish behind Bahrain (3:11.89).

Since then the hashtag #SaveHima is making buzz online:

#HimaDas #AsianGames2018 #AssameseElectronicMedia pic.twitter.com/nOPMBuLLLF

— Cartoonist Nituparna Rajbongshi (@NituparnaRaj) August 29, 2018

Showing dissatisfaction after the matches, Hima said on Facebook Live, "I was under tremendous pressure for some unexpected and inappropriate comments of some 2-3 people of Assam. And for that reason, I lost concentration and 200 m race both. Please don't disturb me."

Sensational revelation of Assam speedster Hima Das in Facebook live. "I was under tremendous pressure for some unexpected and inappropriate comments of some 2-3 people of Assam. And for that reason I lost concentration and 200 m race both. Please don't disturb me."

— Nandan Pratim Sharma Bordoloi 🇮🇳 (@NANDANPRATIM) August 28, 2018

Fans are supporting her appeal with their tweets:

#SaveHima #AsianGames2018 @HimaDas8 is very young. She should be left alone to grow and perform. This very unfortunate. https://t.co/rvgPHZvrwu

— Abdul Gani (@imabdulgani) August 29, 2018

Pathetic. I will also blame Assamese news channels for playing a significant role in this. They should understand where reporting ends and harassment begins. #SaveHima @HimaDas8 https://t.co/M7yMDsDQQX

— উৎপল বৰপূজাৰী Utpal Borpujari (@UtpalBorpujari) August 29, 2018

#SaveHima Ashamed. An athlete has to appeal not to pressurise her. Why are we desperate to destroy her. pic.twitter.com/Lih0Vodo0w

— Mrinal Talukdar (@mrinalt1) August 29, 2018

In July, 18-year-old Hima Das proved her mettle by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships, in Tampere, Finland. During the track events, the sprinter earned India’s first-ever gold, clocking 51.46 seconds in the 400 metre women’s final.

Speaking to ANI, Das earlier 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 (Tokyo Olympics 2020) like other athletes, will try to perform best for India.”

Feature Image Credit: IAAF / Twitter

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