Road to Rio: Does discus throw veteran Vikas Gowda stand a chance at the Olympics?

Name: Vikas Gowda Age: 33 Discipline (sport): Discus throw Category: NA Qualification: The Commonwealth Games champion qualified by hurling the disc across 65.14 metres in an IAAF-approved event in Jamaica Strengths: The national record-holder for discus throw is probably one of the the most consistent Indian athletes. Past Olympic performance: Gowda ranked eighth in the 2012 Olympic finals in London, much better than his performance at the at the Beijing Olympic Games, a disappointing finish at 22nd place. Past record (best performances): - Won the Gold medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games with a throw of 63.64m - His career’s first gold medal was in the Asian Championships in 2013, with a throw of 64.90m - Won the Asian Championships gold in Wuhan, China in June, albeit with a humble throw of 62.03m - Gowda also has an Asian Games bronze to his name Rio prospects: Despite his consistent performance, Gowda was not in form at the end of season in 2015, scraping in at ninth place at the Beijing World Championships and throwing a 62.03m at the Asian Championships. Even though he clinched the gold at this tournament, it didn’t match up to his usual performance. That being said Gowda is currently the highest ranked Asian in the IAAF World Rankings for discus throw. [caption id=“attachment_1644231” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File Photo of Vikas Gowda . AP[/caption] India isn’t the first country that comes to mind when discussing exemplary track and field athletes. In this minority, Vikas Gowda is a glowing exception. Gowda is the only Indian male to win a track-and-field gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in the last 50 years. Before him it was Milkha Singh, who won the men’s 440 yards 56 years ago. The conditions under which he attained his Commonwealth victory were also impressive. Gripping the discus became a challenge under the incessant rain at the Hampden Park stadium. But that did not stop Gowda from clinching the gold. Gowda also holds the National record in discus throw. This 66.28m throw, which is his personal best, was at an event in Norman, USA in 2012. Gowda’s career peaked in 2014-15 when he won the Commonwealth gold, an Asian Games silver and another Asian Championship gold within just a span of two years. This will be the fourth Olympic appearance for the towering 6'9’’ athlete. Gowda made it to the Olympics only after the IAAF lowered the entry standards “to have more athletes” taking part in the track and field events in the 2016 Rio Games. This did not phase Gowda, who said that the standards are always high. It has been a long journey from Mysore to Maryland, USA for Gowda to become the sportsperson that he is today. His father Shive, a decathlete and coach for the 1988 Indian Olympic track team, played a huge part in this journey. Gowda may not be in the best form, as indicated by his performance late into 2015, but by competing less, focusing on recovery and training smart for the Olympics, he hopes to be fresh for the big event and perhaps score some medals. With inputs from agencies