Srinivasa Gowda, who went viral last week after video emerged which appeared to show him running 100 meters in world record-breaking time, says he won't accept an invitation from the Indian government to attend athletics trials. Gowda, 28, is a star in Kambala, a sport where competitors sprint through paddy fields with buffalo, and local reports suggested that he covered 100 meters in a time which would rival the world record set by Usain Bolt more than a decade ago.
He is said to have finished the 140-meter race in a time of 13.42 seconds, which would translate to a time of 9.55 seconds in 100 meters. Bolt's record currently stands at 9.58 seconds.
Gowda's star has risen in his homeland since the reports, with the Sports Authority of India inviting him to participate in national sprint trials - but it seems the hectic life led by a Kambala practitioner has ruled out any dreams he may have had of raising aloft Olympic gold in the 100 meters.
Much like being dragged along by a dog, the buffalo plays its role here.
"I have injured my leg and my focus is on Kambala. I am used to running with buffalo in the paddy fields," he said to BBC Hindi.
He also reflected on the differences between the two athletic pursuits, also referencing the elephant - or buffalo - in the room.
"In Kambala race, heels play an important role whereas it is toes in a track race. Not just jockeys, but even buffaloes have a role to play in Kambala. In track race, this is not the case," he said to TNIE.
Professor Gunapala Kambada of the Kambala Academy also indicated that it was a "great honor" for Gowda to be invited to take part in the athletics trials but the current Kambala schedule simply won't allow it.
"The problem is that he has Kambala [races] on the next three Saturdays," he said. "That is a commitment that he cannot go back on under any circumstances. So we are not rejecting the offer. Maybe he can go for trials at a later stage."
Professor K Gunapala Kadamba, president, Kambala Academy and founder secretary of Dakshina Kannada Kambala Committee, told TOI, "We are proud of him. Gowda was the first batch student of the academy. In the 11 Kambalas held this season, he has won 32 prizes. In every Kambala he wins at least two prizes. We will not compare him to Usain Bolt because we cannot vouch for the accuracy of timings. Only at the finish we have a laser network system and electronic timings. The length of the Kambala tracks also varies," he said.
People are comparing me to Usain Bolt. He is a world champion, I am only running in a slushy paddy field,” he told ANI. In fact, the star of the moment seems more grounded about his achievement. The credit of my success should also go to my two buffaloes. They ran very well. I chased them or drove them,” he told News18.
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