Vikas Gowda

GENERAL INFORMATION

Born:  July 5, 1983                                            

Resides: Phoenix, Arizona                 

Height: 2.06m/6’71/2”

Weight: 280lbs

PB:  Discus-66.28m; Shot Put-19.62m

Sponsor:  Nike

BACKGROUND                   

Born in Mysore, Karnataka state, India, Vikas grew up in United States.   His first coach was his father Shive Gowda. He won the the NCAA championship in 2006 and he considers it as one of his best moments in his life.  Since becoming a full time professional athlete, Vikas has changed coaches and is now coached by John Godina.  Since going to Phoenix and training with John Godina, he has become a Top 10 world ranked discus thrower, has won numerous medals from Gold to Silver at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Asian Championships.  He has set the India National record in the discus and has made it to the finals of the World Championships and Olympic Games.

RESULTS                                                

Finished 12th at the IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championships in Kingston, JAM July 18, 2002.               

2005 - Silver medalist, Discus throw at the Asian Championships.    

2006- 6th in discus throw at the Asian Games. 5th in shot put and 6th in discus throw at the Commonwealth Games.  Became Indian national record holder in discus throw.                                        

2010- Gold medalist, Asian All Star Athletics meet, New Delhi; Silver medalist, Asian Athletics Championship, Incheon; Silver medalist, Commonwealth Games, New Delhi; Bronze medalist, Asian games, China.     

2011- Silver medalist, 19th Asian Championships Kobe, Japan; 7th place IAAF World Championships Daegu, South Korea.                                   

2012- National record holder(66.28m); 8th place at the XXX Olympic Games in London (64.79m).      

2013-7th place IAAF World Championships in Moscow; Asian Championships 1st place.                         

2014-1st Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, UK; Asian Games 2nd place.   

2015-1st Asian Games Championships; 3rd place Shanghai DL; 3rd Prefontaine DL

Collegiate Career                                              

Won the NCAA Championship in 2006.  Earned All-America honors in the discus. Established a new Indian national record in the discus - 212-3. ACC discus champion.  Earned All-America honors in the indoor shot put with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.  ACC champion in the indoor shot put, breaking the ACC meet record in the process.  Established school records in the indoor shot put (64-3 ¾) and the discus (212-3).

Prep Career:

Won seven Maryland state titles.  Broke the state discus record - 200-2. Won the discus at the National Scholastic meet, breaking the meet record in the process.  Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year in Maryland.  Track and Field News All-America in the discus and shot.