India's star sprinter Hima Das will return to action at the Indian Grand Prix 1 Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday after being given the green signal by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) disciplinary panel following a hearing last month.

Last year, NADA had temporarily suspended 24-year-old Hima after she failed to inform her whereabouts thrice in 12 months. Hima's name has been included in the entry list of the women's 200m race for the Indian Grand Prix 1 to be held on Today by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Hima won the 400m individual silver medal at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. She was part of the gold medal-winning women's 4x400m and silver medal-winning mixed 4x400m relay quartets in Jakarta. But, due to injury, this Assam runner was not included in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.

List of Athletes participating in Indian Grand Prix 1:

Shaili Singh (Long Jump), Nayana James (Long Jump), Hima Das (200m), Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Shot Put), Manu DP (Javelin Throw), Prasad Bhoi (100m), Gurkirat Singh (100m), Shankar Lal Swami (3000m Steeplechase), Bal Kishan (3000m Steeplechase), Mohammed Afsal (800m), Srabani Nanda (100m, 200m).

Star sprinter Hima Das won the gold in the 200m race at the Indian Grand Prix 2023 with an ease of 23.79 seconds in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on Sunday. However, despite her victory, Das's performance was bittersweet, as she had failed to make the cut for the upcoming Asian Games. Hima Das registered a time of 23.79 seconds, 0.36s short of the Asian Games qualification standard for the women's 200m sprint event set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

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Meanwhile, in the long jump event at the Indian Grand Prix 2023, Ancy Sojan won the first position with a throw of 6.49m. She also crossed the Asian Games qualifying mark of 6.45. However, many star athletes are not participating in these events of the Indian Grand Prix 2023. Only two athletes competed in the women's high jump and the men's triple jump.

Similarly, there were only three participants in the women's shot put, 800 meters, and 5000 meters races. Krishan Kumar of Haryana won the 800m race with a timing of 1:47.26. This was his second personal best performance. He also crossed the Asian Games qualifying standard of 1:49.05.

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In the men's 5000m race, three Uttar Pradesh athletes come home inside the Asian Games qualifying mark of 14:00.00. Abhishek Pal clocked 13:51.14, while Gulveer Singh clocked his personal best time of 14:02.50, and Mohammed Nur Hasan 13:52.26 on his 5,000m debut. Meanwhile, Odisha's javelin thrower Kishore Kumar clocked a personal best of 81.05m. His previous best was 78.93. DP Manu, who threw 80 meters twice, finished second. Both went past the Asian Games qualifying mark set by AFI.

The first Indian Grand Prix 2023 featured a total of 18 events, 10 for men and eight for women. The second Indian Grand Prix 2023 will be held on March 27 in Thiruvananthapuram. While the third and fourth legs will take place on April 2 and April 10, respectively, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The next PT Usha, Hima Das shared her experience after recovering from Covid-19. She thought she might not survived. Besides, she had to face multiple fronts injuries for couple of years. As a result, she missed the chance to participate in the last edition of Tokyo Olympics. However she is now preparing for the Commonwealth Games 2022 and is all set to win a gold medal.

Hima Das became famous only at the age of 18 after winning a medal at the U-20 World Championship in 2018. She is the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at this stage. The National record holder has won three medals at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Those are- gold in the women's 4x400m relay and the mixed 4x400m relay and an individual silver in the women's 400m event. She joined as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Assam Police under the state's Integrated Sport Policy.

Also read: Hima got too much attention, needs to understand her future is in the sport, says her coach

But the dreams began to fall because of the Covid and the injuries. She took months to recover and return to her normal life on and off the track.

The 22-year old is now looking for the Commonwealth Games glory on the tracks of Birmingham, as part of India's 400x100m women's relay team at the 2022 CWG. After a few training camps, including one in Turkey, she is much confident now about her fitness.

She had a special chat with Times of India about her possible future, health recoveries and CWG dreams.

"I am training really hard. Training is currently in full swing. I was in Chennai. I had to wait there for some time because of the visa process ( for Birmingham). We all have gathered here in Trivandrum. We are preparing for the baton relay. I am sure you will see a good performance from us in the Commonwealth Games. Our team is a strong one. After a long time we have got a strong team. Everyone is pumped up and raring to go." Hima said to the TOI.

"I thought I would die. I was adamant though that I have to recover. The infection shattered me mentally and physically. Around 2 am one morning, I almost gave up and I thought I would die."

After recovering from Covid-19 Hima share her bitter experience.

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The 'Dhing Express' is now aiming for gold at the Commonwealth games 2022.

"Yes. You can expect that. Please pray for us. I am sure we will return with a medal."

The golden boy of Indian sports is back doing what he does best. Neeraj Chopra, the javelin thrower has joined 131 other Indian athletes in the national camp at Patiala. The camp kicked off on 15th October and will go on till 31st December.

Neeraj Chopra created history earlier this year by winning India's first individual Olympic gold medal in athletics. He made the whole of India stand and clap when he threw 87.58m in Tokyo Olympics 2020. Neeraj was only the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

Just like other sporting heroes of India, Neeraj was welcomed back into the country with huge accolades. Many brands, news channels and media houses approached him for media releases and interviews. Even his CRED App advertisement got trending and many appreciated his acting skills as well.

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It is hard to stay grounded after receiving so much love, fame, and limelight all of a sudden. And exactly it is where he differed from others. The 23-year-old is fulfilling his dreams and making his parents proud. He thanked the fans for their love and support and asked them to keep supporting the Indian athletes in the days and years to come.

Also read: Neeraj Chopra Biography, Medal, Olympic Gold, Age, Elevation Career

Due to his busy schedule, he wanted to take an off time in 2021. However, with a goal to defend his commonwealth and Asian game golds, Neeraj has come back to training.

Neeraj was the last one to join the national camp at the National Institue of Sports (NIS) in Punjab. The 2020 Olympic Gold medalist will have a busy schedule in 2022 with World Championship in July next year.

Indian ace sprinter Dutee Chand, Hima Das and discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur are also in the camp training for their next schedule.

Hima Das, the Indian sprinter stayed away from the track for almost three months. This 21-year-old runner from Assam was disappointed after her failure in Tokyo Olympics. Ultimately the forced break and her coach's encouragement has made Hima resume her career life.

Hima Das holds the current Indian national record in 400 meters with a timing of 50.79 s. She achieved it in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. She inconsistently switched 400 meters to the 100 and 200 metres and suffered a hamstring injury during the 100m heats. It derived her from the Tokkyo bid. Hima was in her good form  as she scored 23.21s (22.80 Olympic qualification mark) to win the 200m title.

Read also: A glimpse Of Indian Female Athletes Who Qualified For Tokyo Olympics

Galina Bukharina was not confident

Coach Galina was quite satisfied with Hima's Federation Cup results. But she knew that Hima couldn't make the the cut for the Tokyo Games.

"Hima was not ready for this kind of result yet and she didn't take her practice seriously. Her practice over the two years was like this: two days good, three days bad, and one day good, two days bad. She always found an explanation for her bad days. She didn't try to push herself hard," claimed Galina.

The Russian-American coach, in her 47 years experiences, felt that Hima tried to push herself to the limit .She put her effort to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics when she was not prepared for it. "She forgot that if you are not ready for 22 (seconds), mentally you won't be able to push for 22. She tried to do that and that is why she got injured," Galina says.

Galina helpes out Hima towards a great comeback

"Hima got too much attention after the World Junior medal (2018) ...I need her to understand that right now her future is in sport. If she wants to be in the sport she has to be a little more demanding to herself. Not to me, I am at the track every day. If she comes and says, 'coach my body hurts today", I tell her to go get treatment. What else can I say?" Galina says.

Galina is hopeful with Hima now . She said, this 3month break will help Hima to come back with her best form. She can perfectly rectify all her flaws and focus on her career.

"She got injured and couldn't make it to the Olympic Games and when she was doing nothing for three months, she finally understood that she has to do her job absolutely differently. She called me and told me 'coach I have understood everything," Galina added. (The Indian Express )

76 years old coach Galina believes that Hima has enough potential of leadership. Hima is currently recovering after testing positive for Covid after reporting to the national camp in Patiala. "I still believe in her. She has some really good qualities. She is a very good leader," Galina said

After winning the historic U 20 World Championship 400m gold, then not being able to qualify for Tokyo Olympics, Hima has not given up. Galina believes Hima will learn from her mistakes and overcome this slump.

Lastly Gelina said that,

"This year will be absolutely different. She is waiting for the camp to begin and to start a very decent season. She is looking to do well at the Asian Games in 4x100m. She is not only angry but hungry to do something really good. These are life lessons and probably this was good in a way. She is very young."

Murali Sreeshankar long jumps into Tokyo Olympics with a National Record. He broke the national record for long jump of 8.26 m in the ongoing Federation Cup. The day at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala belonged to Murali Sreeshankar. However, some of the bigger stars could not earn Tokyo qualifications.

Murali Sreeshankar long jumps into Tokyo Olympics: Federation Cup 2021

The qualification mark for the Tokyo Olympics was 8.22 meters. Sreeshankar outjumped that mark with a national record of 8.26 in his fifth attempt.

Murali Sreeshankar's previous record was of 8.20 meters. The 21- year old young athlete is now a force to reckon with in the Indian Long-Jump circuit. However, it is Shreeshankar himself who thinks one jump over 8.2 is not enough to sustain the glory.

When I did 8.20 my caliber was 8-8.10m at best. But I believe my ability at the moment is 8.40m. I am slowly getting into the rhythm and having all jumps over 8m today is a great sign because the competition out there is very tough. One occasional jump of 8.26 will not be enough to sustain, I need to stay in the 8.20-plus mark consistently,

Murali SHREESHANKAR ON HIS ABILITY

T. C. Yohannan was the first and only male long jumper to participate in the Olympics. Murali Sreeshankar is now the second to to achieve the feat. Yohannan made his Olympic appearance in 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

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Murali Sreeshankar story: From not being able to walk to the Olympics

Earlier in 2018, Murali Sreeshankar did not think he would again jump for India. A serious operation of appendicitis and liquid diet had made him so weak that he could not even walk properly.

However, it has the mental strength of Sreeshankar that made him participate at the 2018 Asian Junior Athletics Championships at Gifu. It was only two months post his operation. He managed to win a Bronze medal there without having the strength in his legs.

Read Also Indian Athletes Qualified for 2020 Olympics in Tokyo: In Detail

Shreeshankar's story is a inspiring one for all the upcoming young athletes of India. From not having the strength to walk to qualify for the Olympics it is been a remarkable journey for the young long jumper from Patiala.

He started the day with a long jump of 8.02. Then, continued his progress. Jumps of 8.07 meters and 8.09 meters followed that. Then, it was the fifth jump at secured his place at the Olympics.

Famous Indian log jumper Anju Bobby thinks there is enough talent in the Indian Athletic circuit who can beat the world's best. Perhaps, jumpers like Murali Sreeshankar is now proving Anju Booby right.

However, the bad news from the Federation Cup was that Hima Das was defaulted in the finals of 100 meter race. Meanwhile, Dutee Chand also could not go pass the Tokyo qualification benchmark.