Bhubaneswar: Reigning champion discus thrower Vikas Gowda may not be able to defend his title in the Asian Athletics Championships (AAC) beginning here July 6 after a disappointing 57.79m effort in the trials conducted at the Kalinga Stadium here Sunday.
Gowda, who holds the national record of 66.28m, underwent the trial as the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) wanted to check his fitness level. An AFI official stated that Gowda had requested for another trial July 4, but it is highly unlikely that his request will be ceded to.
“Some of the coaches are not happy with Gowda’s performance. His 57.79m will at best fetch him seventh or eighth position if you see the results of the 2015 edition of AAC in Wuhan. So it will be difficult for Gowda to be given an entry to the championships,” an AFI official informed.
Another athlete, national record holder 110m hurdler Siddhanth Thingalaya, also based in the clocked 14.04 seconds in the 110m hurdles. He was also mandated to take the trial as he had not competed in any event on the domestic circuit this season.
The 26-year-old Thingalaya clocked 13.48 seconds in the Altis Invitational at Phoenix in Arizona recently but the result is yet to be ratified. If it happens, he will automatically qualify for the London Worlds in August.