LONDON - Vikas Gowda, former Tar Heel and 2006 NCAA champion, led Group A of the men's discus throw qualification round with a throw of 65.20 meters on Monday at the 2012 Olympics placing his fifth overall in the event. Gowda is representing his home nation of India and stands high chance to medal if not land atop the podium.
Gowda is just the fourth Indian male to reach the final of a track and field event out of the qualification round. He secured his berth in Tuesday's final with just two throws, first at 63.52 meters and finally at 65.20 which was the farthest throw in the field.
Gowda graduated from UNC in 2006 after a successful four-year career on the track team. He was the 2006 national champion in the discus. Earlier this summer Gowda was the first Indian man to medal at an international competition since 2003 when he earned bronze at the Diamond League Series in New York with a throw of 64.85 meters. That performance briefly placed him atop the IAAF rankings.
The men's discus throw final takes place at 2:30 p.m. EDT and can be seen streamed live here.
