Ace sprinter Hima Das will miss the upcoming Asian Games 2023 after being compelled to withdraw from the ongoing National Inter-State Athletics Championships due to a hamstring injury. This event serves as the final selection opportunity for the Hangzhou Asian Games.
She had pulled her hamstring ahead of the Indian Grand Prix IV in Bangalore in April and was subsequently unable to participate in the Federation Cup athletics meet held in Ranchi in May.
What did Indian athletics chief coach, Radhakrishnan Nair say about Hima Das' injury?
“It is unfortunate Hima was injured a day before the Indian Grand Prix IV in Bangalore. She pulled a hamstring and also had back problems. Now, a medical investigation is going on and planning for (Hima’s) treatment. I believe that she will not be able to participate in the Asian Games as per the policy of the AFI," Nair told PTI.
The Athletics Federation of India has mandated that all athletes, with the exception of pre-exempted individuals, must participate in the Inter-State Athletics Championships to be considered for the Hangzhou Asian Games, scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 8 this year. Only two athletes, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and 3000m steeplechase silver medalist Avinash Sable from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, were granted exemptions from participating in the five-day championship.
Hima Das, who had been focusing on the 200m event recently, had displayed excellent form earlier this season before her injury. She secured a silver medal at the Indian Grand Prix II in Kerala and claimed gold medals in the women's 200m at the Indian Grand Prix I and III.
When will Neeraj Chopra get back to action?
Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Neeraj Chopra was forced to sit out the FBK Games in the Netherlands and Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland -- due to a muscle strain, he sustained last month. Nair informed that the javelin thrower has resumed training and should be fit for competitive action by the end of June.
He will skip the upcoming Asian Championship and will directly compete in the World Championship in Hungary (August 19-27).
"Due to a packed 2023 season, both the athletes (Neeraj and Sable) are competing in selected events this year as the emphasis is a podium finish at the Budapest World Championship and then the Asian Games," Nair said.
AFI plans to send 60 athletes to Asian Athletics Championships
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is looking to send a 60-strong contingent to the upcoming Asian Athletics Championship scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from June 12 to 16.
However, the final decision will be taken after a review meeting which is slated to take place on June 20.
"We have done a preliminary selection and there were athletes who could not participate in the Federation Cup (last month) as they were training abroad. They have to confirm their performance in the Inter-State. We will have a selection review meeting on June 20 and then we will declare the team. For example, Tejaswin Shankar has done one decathlon event and he must qualify for Asian Championships with the qualifying mark of 7500 aggregate points in the Inter-State," Nair informed.
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