Lili Das Triumphs in Women's 800m at Indian Athletics Final Series

Uttarakhand's Lili Das showcased her athletic prowess by winning the women's 800m title at the Indian Athletics Final Series. Clocking a time of 2:03.41, she outperformed competitors from Haryana and Tamil Nadu. This victory comes after a challenging recovery from a hamstring injury that sidelined her from the Asian Games. Lili reflects on her journey, discussing the difficulties of balancing rehabilitation and training. Despite setbacks, she remains focused on future competitions, including the World Championships and Asian Championships. Read on to discover more about her inspiring comeback story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 10, 2026, 21:49 IST

Lili Das Claims Victory

Lili Das from Uttarakhand secured the women's 800m championship at the Indian Athletics Final Series, held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. She achieved a remarkable time of 2:03.41, surpassing Haryana's Pooja, who finished with a silver medal at 2:04.02, and Tamil Nadu's Gowthami Jayaraman, who took bronze with a time of 2:05.63.

Overcoming Challenges

This victory marks a significant comeback for Lili, who faced a tough period after missing the Asian Games selection due to a hamstring injury. She shared her experience, stating that her training was compromised during the qualification phase. "I attempted to compete during the Asian Games qualifiers in Bhubaneswar in May and June, but my training was not at its peak due to rehabilitation," Lili explained.

Injury Details

Lili disclosed that she suffered a Grade 2 hamstring tear just days before the season commenced, which severely impacted her training schedule. "The injury occurred at the end of March, right before the season opener in Bengaluru. I was supposed to participate in the Open Series 1 competition, but I sustained the injury just six days prior," she recounted.

She emphasized the difficulty of managing rehabilitation alongside training and competitions. "I had to juggle everything, and after my injury, I could only train for about 20 to 30 days," she added.

Future Aspirations

Looking forward, Lili expressed her determination to focus on upcoming events, including the World Championships and Asian Championships next year. She mentioned her efforts during the Asian Games trials, where she had to withdraw from the 1500m event due to her hamstring issues. "I pushed hard in the 800m, which led to my withdrawal from the 1500m race because my hamstring couldn't handle it," she stated.

Despite the challenges, Lili remains optimistic. "I gave it my all, and with the support of my physio and sponsors, I am now concentrating on future competitions. What’s done is done, and I’m not looking back anymore," she concluded.