NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Srinivasa Gowda, a Kambala jockey from Moodabidri in Karnataka, has been called for trials by the Sports Ministry after he set a new record as the fastest runner in the history of the traditional sport of the coastal region.
�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.
One of the tweets read: �Here�s India�s very own USAIN BOLT. Srinivasa Gowda from Karnataka who ran a 100m buffalo race (Kambala) in merely 9.55 seconds whereas Usain Bolt�s world record is 9.58 seconds. Thank you @KirenRijiju Sir for acknowledging such talent!�
Shashi Tharoor had earlier tweeted: �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!�
The 28-year-old is a construction worker and took just 13.62 seconds to cover a distance of 145 metres at the Kambala at Aikala village about 30 kilometres from Mangaluru.
Srinivasa took just 9.55 seconds to run a distance of 100 metres and netizens were quick to point out that he was faster that eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt. Bolt currently holds the world record in the 100-metre race at 9.58 seconds in 2009. � IANS