Vikas in world top-10 in Discus with new Indian record

Salinas, Calif., May 18 (UNI) Vikas Gowda, Asian Championship silver medallist and current Indian record holder in Discus throw altered the national record for the third time with a gigantic throw of 64.96m.

Vikas finished fourth in the Gary Shaw Classic Throws meet held in the campus of Hartnell's college here. Jarred Rome of USA won with a distance of 67.76m beating Niklas Arrhenius of Swedon (65.77m) and Adam Kuehl (64.98m) of USA. Vikas lost podium for just 2 cm.

This is the same place and event when Vikas set the National record of 64.35m in 2004. He further improved it in 2005 at Charlotte Invitation with 64.69m.

Vikas, 6'9'' tall, weighs more than 110kg is one of the most promising Indian athlete to win Global honours for India.

The 24-year old Indian graduated in Maths from Carolina University during which he earned All-America honors in discus discipline with a runner-up performance at the NCAA Championships and a rare win in NCAA in Discus Throw by Indian.

World Top 10 (as on May 18) Discus Throw: 72.02 Gerd Kanter (EST),70.01 Virgilijus Alekna(LTU),68.37 Jarred Rome (USA) 67.98 Ian Waltz(USA)66.10 Omar Ahmed El Ghazaly(EGY) 66.08 Rutger Smith(NED)65.77 Niklas Arrhenius(SWE) 65.06 Piotr Malachowski(POL)64.98 Adam Kuehl(USA),64.96 Vikas Gowda(IND) UNI HSB DH VV1912