Athlete

The first 300 m., I go slow and pick up speed at the bend. That's Hima's style.

I am not running after gold medals; I am running after time. And once I get that, gold medals will run after me.

I don't worry about timings or what somebody else is doing in another lane.

People have now started recognizing me as well as my family.

I used to wake up at 5 A.M., and my routine involved six hours of training, both in the morning and evening.

I'm not comparing it with cricketers who get huge money. But getting some financial benefits do motivate players, especially athletes. I appreciate this move by the state government. A state like Haryana has been producing more and more players because of such motivations.

Nothing concerns me other than my time. That is my only concern. I don't pay any attention to the rest. I run after time. If that improves, the gold, silver, etc. will follow.

I didn't expect I will get the Arjuna at 18 years. I thought 19.

Whatever the rules are, we have to follow them. I have no problem with it.

The ultimate dream of an athlete is to compete in the Olympics. For us athletes, that is the zenith. There is nothing beyond that.

I want to thank my parents and my coaches, who brought me out of Guwahati.

I hope I will get a chance to compete in the Olympics.

Our village is very small, so I wasn't surprised when I heard some negative comments from my neighbours on my interest in sports. But nothing mattered, as I always knew what I was doing and why I was doing it.

People expect a lot for me now, and I will achieve that.

When I was in Class II, we used to walk about 5 km. to school. I did not know of Olympics or even athletics then. One day, a friend went in a car and left me behind. I was so angry, I wanted to run and outrace the car. I ran so fast that I tripped and fractured my knee.

People have now started recognizing me as well as my family.

My biggest support and backbone have been my friends.

The biggest challenge of my career has always been to improve my timing, and it will always be so.

I just know how to run, and that is what I do.

The first 300 m., I go slow and pick up speed at the bend. That's Hima's style.