Vikas Gowda

Who is Vikas Gowda?

Vikas Gowda is an Indian discus thrower and Shot putter. Born in Mysore, he grew up in Frederick, Maryland in the United States. His father, Shive, coached the 1988 Indian Olympic track team.

He is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the 2006 US NCAA National Champion in discus.

His personal best throw is 66.90 meters which is also Indian national record in discus throw, achieved in 2013. He contested at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but failed to reach the finals after finishing 22nd in the qualifiers, with a throw of 60.69 m. In 2012 London Olympics, Vikas qualified for the finals, at the fifth place, with a throw of 65.20 m and finished 8th in the finals. He won his first gold medal in Asian Championships in 2013 in Pune, with a throw of 64.90 meters. He is supported by Olympic Gold Quest. In shot put his personal record stands on 19.62 meters.