Hima Das, the Dhing Express for Assam and World Under-20 champion in the 400 meters, has been diagnosed with Spondylitis of the lumbar vertebrae or lower back and this has jeopardized her participation in the World relays to be held on May 13 at Yokohama, Japan.
According to the team official, the painful condition of Spondylitis will require her to go through a period of rest and rehabilitation complemented by medication.
Hima had started training on May 5 with the rest of the 400 meters squad currently based in Yokohama for the world relays to be held on Monday but her participation is highly unlikely.
If Hima is unable to run in the world relays, then it would be the second consecutive competition in which she would have not completed a race.
This back problem actually surfaced at the Asian Athletics Championships held last month in Doha, where she pulled out after getting off the blocks in the 400-metre heats. The back spasm ruled her out of the women’s 4×400 meter relay and the mixed relay at the Asian event.
Hima consulted a specialist in Doha who came up with the diagnosis of Spondylitis in her lower vertebrae. This means her dream of participating in Tokyo Olympic will be in serious jeopardy.
“Hima Das has started training with the relay squad earlier this week. She will need to do some exercises and will also need some rest and rehabilitation as part of her recovery. Her progress is being monitored carefully,” deputy chief national coach Radhakrishnan Nair said.
However Hima is likely to travel with the 400 metre batch of athletes to Spala, Poland, for an overseas camp where she will continue with her rehabilitation.
