Hima Das to miss Asian Games 2023 due to hamstring injury, confirms Indian athletics coach

Former junior world champion Hima Das will miss the Asian Games in China later this year due to injury issues, India's athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair said on Wednesday. 23-year-old Hima suffered a hamstring injury in April and it is expected to keep the young sprinter out of action for a couple more months.

Radhakrishnan Nair said apart from the hamstring injury, Hima Das has also had some back injury issues. The Asian Games, which were postponed from last year, will be held in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8.

The 23-year-old made heads turn when she won the 400m silver at the Asian Games in 2018 in Jakarta. She was also part of the Indian 4x400 mixed relay team that won the gold medal in the continental championships. She missed the 200m final berth at the



Commonwealth Games last year narrowly.

''It is unfortunate she (Hima) was injured a day before the Indian Grand Prix IV in Bengaluru (on April 15). She pulled a hamstring and also had a back problem. Now, a medical investigation is going on and planning for treatment. I believe that she will not be able to participate in the Asian Games as per the policy of the AFI,'' Nair said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Hima had also missed the Federation Cup in Ranchi last month due to the injury. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had hoped that Hima would recover from the injury and take part in the National Inter-State Championship, starting June 15 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. The event will also be the final event to secure qualifications for Asian Games for Indian track and field stars.