Hima began off with football, kicking the ball with young men in the mud pits by the rice fields. She was then exhorted by a nearby mentor to take up games. Hima was spotted by Nipon, a games mentor with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, amid a between area meet. Nipon stated, “She was wearing cheap spikes but she won gold in the 100 and 200. She ran like the wind. I hadn’t seen such a talent in ages.”