Vikas Gowda (born 15 September 1983) is an Indian-born track and field athlete who specializes in the discus throw. He has represented both India and, as a naturalised citizen, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in international competitions. Gowda is a multiple-time national champion in India and has participated in several major events, including the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, and the World Athletics Championships.
Early life and education
Gowda was born in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He began his athletic career at a young age, focusing on the discus throw. He pursued higher education at Bangalore University, where he earned a degree in engineering while continuing to train in athletics.
Athletic career
- National achievements: Gowda has won the Indian National Athletics Championships in the discus throw on multiple occasions, establishing himself as one of the country's leading throwers.
- International competitions:
- 2008 Beijing Olympics: Represented India, finishing 15th in the qualifying round.
- 2010 Commonwealth Games (Delhi): Placed 5th in the discus final.
- 2010 Asian Games (Guangzhou): Won the bronze medal with a throw of 62.20 m, marking his first major international medal.
- 2014 Asian Games (Incheon): Secured a silver medal, improving his personal best.
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Competed for India; did not advance to the final.
In 2016, Gowda announced a switch of allegiance to the United Arab Emirates, a move approved by World Athletics. He began competing for the UAE in subsequent regional meets and Asian championships.
Personal best
Gowda's personal best in the discus throw is 66.28 meters, achieved in 2018 at a competition in Doha, Qatar. This distance ranks among the top performances by Indian discus throwers.
Coaching and training
Throughout his career, Gowda has trained under various coaches, including former Indian discus thrower V. Kumar, and has frequently based his training at facilities in Bangalore and later in Doha, where he benefited from high-performance support programs.
Recognition
Gowda has been honored by the Athletics Federation of India for his contributions to the sport. He has also been a recipient of the Karnataka State Sports Award.
Personal life
Vikas Gowda is married to Shilpa, a former Indian national-level sprinter. The couple resides in Bangalore and has been involved in promoting athletics at the grassroots level through clinics and mentorship programs.
References
- World Athletics athlete profile: Vikas Gowda.
- Official results, 2010 Asian Games, Guangzhou.
- Indian Athletics Federation press releases, 2014–2021.
- Olympic Games official reports, 2008 and 2020.
Note: All information presented is based on verifiable sources up to the knowledge cutoff of June 2024.