Hima Das confident of making Tokyo cut in 4x100m relay with Dutee Chand

Star sprinter Hima Das is upbeat about the chances of India’s 4x100m women’s relay team making it to the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has named a ‘dream team’ of Hima Das, national 100m record-holder Dutee Chand, rising star Dhanalakshmi Sekar and Archana Suseendran in the 4x100m relay team for the World Athletics Relays next month.

The event in Poland is an Olympic qualifier for Tokyo 2020, with the top-eight finishers set to be handed a direct spot for the Games.

“We are confident that we can qualify for the Olympics during the World Relays. We should do it," Hima Das told PTI.

“I am in very good shape and the other members are also doing well and preparing well. We have done really well in the Federation Cup.”

The Federation Cup saw a new star emerge in Dhanalakshmi Sekar, who beat Dutee Chand to gold in the 100m, and finished ahead of Hima Das in the 200m heats.

The AFI has planned a training camp in Turkey later this month for the athletes and it will be a crucial phase for Hima Das, who has not yet qualified for the Olympics in the individual events.

“I will be running 100m and 200m during training. I will also take part in competitions (Olympic qualifying events) in and around Turkey,” Hima said.

The 21-year-old Hima Das shot to fame after becoming the junior 400m world champion in 2018, and followed it up with a 400m silver at the Asian Games later in the year.

However, she has since decided to focus on shorter sprints (100m and 200m) after a back injury in 2019.

The Dhing Express, as Hima Das is nicknamed, will be hoping to qualify for her maiden Games in both the individual and relay events in the next few months.