Hima Das has already captured the imagination of the Indian sports fan, the IAAF World U-20 Athletics Championships 400m gold in Tampere, Finland coming as an affirmation of her growing stature. For the first time, an Indian athlete went in with many expecting her to dominate the field. Das, 18, has spawned exciting possibilities in Indian sport.

It is always heart-warming to see a new name surface, but when it comes to a sport that 200 nations compete in, it is so much more special. The girl from Dhing village in Nagaon district, coached by Nipon Das, has raised the banner for track athletes by becoming the first Indian to win gold at this level.