Indian buffalo jockey compared to Usain Bolt as he runs 100 metres in 9.55 sec

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Usain Bolt, Indian buffalo jockey, Srinivasa Gowda

Usain Bolt currently holds the world record in the 100-metre race at 9.58 seconds.

By IANS

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Published: Sun 16 Feb 2020, 10:15 AM

Last updated: Sun 16 Feb 2020, 12:46 PM

A video clip of a Karnataka resident who took just 9.55 seconds to run a distance of 100 metres has wowed the social media.
A Twitter post by a user went viral when he pointed out that the man's timing was faster than international athlete Usain Bolt, who currently holds the world record in the 100-metre race at 9.58 seconds.
The post caption read: "He is Srinivasa Gowda (28) from Moodabidri in Dakshina Kannada district. Ran 142.5 metres in just 13.62 seconds at a 'Kambala' or buffalo race in a slushy paddy field. 100 metres in JUST 9.55 seconds! @usainbolt took 9.58 seconds to cover 100 metres. #Karnataka."
Kambala is an annual buffalo race held in the southwestern state of Karnataka. Traditionally, it is sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. As one can observe from the viral picture, the Karnataka man is running alongside a pair of buffalo in a field filled with water.
Gowda can't be Olympic star overnight: Kambala organiser
Gowda cannot become an Olympic sprinter all of a sudden, said an organiser of the annual race on Saturday.
"Some may think that Kambala race may be far better than an Olympic race as it happens in a wet field with bare footed competitors, but Gowda cannot be an Olympic star all of a sudden," Kambala Academy convenor and chairman Gudapa Kadamba told IANS.
He said Olympic sprints happen on synthetic tracks with participants wearing spiked shoes whereas Kambala athletes run barefoot alongside an animal in a wet field, holding a rope tied to them.
"We have to scientifically judge if Gowda like Kambala racers are eligible to run with spiked shoes on synthetic tracks and vice versa. Can an Olympic sprinter run in a wet field bare foot alongside buffaloes," asked Kadamba, a Kambala sport administrator for the past 50 years.
Social media users hailed Srinivasa:
A user wrote: "True, but physics says something was make him run faster. Anyhow, appreciating his strength."

Another wrote: "What a physique... it seems someone carved him from stone... marvelous..."

A post read: "That's super... If timing is accurate, then it's great discovery #Karnataka."

"OMG. Is it real? Indian government needs to look into this man's speed. Can you reach out to the Sports Authority of India or the Sports Ministry?" asked a user.

"This guy will surely get us a gold medal at the Olympics!" another user remarked.


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