After Being Called ‘India’s Usain Bolt’, Srinivasa Gowda Called for Trials by Sports Ministry

28-year-old Gowda, a construction labourer, became the talk of the town after videos of him running a distance of 100 metres in just 9.55 seconds at a Kambala race went viral.

New Delhi: After the video clip of a Karnataka man named Srinivasa Gowda who covered a distance of 100 meters in just 9.55 seconds went viral, netizens have hailed him as ‘India’s Usain Bolt’.

Many even claimed that the Gowda’s timing was faster than Bolt, who holds the world record in the 100-metre race at 9.58 seconds. Now, more recognition and appreciation is coming his way as the Sports Ministry has called him for trials.

It all happened after industrialist Anand Mahindra wrote to Sports Minister Kiren Rijuju to train Gowda and Rijiju assured that he will invite him for trials by top SAI coaches.

“I’ll call Karnataka’s Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI Coaches. There’s lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength & endurance are surpassed. I’ll ensure that no talents in India are left out untested,” tweeted Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday.

I'll call Karnataka's Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI Coaches. There's lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength & endurance are surpassed. I'll ensure that no talents in India is left out untested. https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020

Yes @PMuralidharRao ji. Officials from SAI have contacted him. His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly. We are team @narendramodi ji and will do everything to identity sporting talents! https://t.co/RF7KMfIHAD
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020

28-year-old Gowda, a construction labourer, became the talk of the town after videos of him running a distance of 100 metres in just 9.55 seconds at a Kambala race went viral.

Kambala is an annual buffalo race held in the southwestern state of Karnataka which is traditionally, sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

#WATCH : Mr. Srinivasa Gowda from Moodabidre, Karnataka ran 100m in 9.55 seconds at a #Kambala (buffalo race). He was faster than @usainbolt who took 9.58 seconds to create a world record.
We Indians are busy with praising others! 🙂@KirenRijiju @narendramodi @girishalva pic.twitter.com/eIcCS98b33
— Shruthi Thumbri 🇮🇳 (@Shruthi_Thumbri) February 14, 2020

Stumped by his talent, Shashi Tharoor too had urged the government to take note and wrote on Twitter, ”Faster Than Usain Bolt? Karnataka Man Running With Buffaloes Covers 100 Metres in Just 9.55 Seconds. I urge the Athletics Association of India to take this man under their wing & make an Olympic champion of him. Wonder how many hidden talents we have!”

Meanwhile, despite fame coming his way, the humble Srinivasa Gowda told ANI, “People are comparing me to Usain Bolt. He is a world champion, I am only running in a slushy paddy field.”