An Indian buffalo runner has been compared with the world’s fastest man after a breathtakingly quick dash.
Construction worker Srinivas Gowda, 28, was competing in Kambala, a sport where competitors run 142 metres through a paddy field while tethered to two buffaloes.
His time of 13.42 seconds would have resulted in a 9.55 second 100-metre sprint. Usian Bolt’s world record stands at 9.58 seconds.
There have now been calls for Mr Gowda to be called up to the Indian athletics squad, for a potential chance to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.
India’s sports minister, Kiren Rijju said on Twitter: ”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 is left out untested.’
However, the governing body for Kambala warned against comparing him to Bolt.
The sport’s president, Professor Gunapala Kadamba, said: ‘We would not like to indulge in any comparison with others.
‘They [Olympic event monitors] have more scientific methods and better electronic equipment to measure speed.’
Mr Gowda told Asia News International: ‘People are comparing me to Usain Bolt. He is a world champion, I am only running in a slushy paddy field’.
Kambala, a traditional sport from the Karnataka region means ‘paddy-growing mud field’ in the local language Tulu. Competitors sprint through a 142m field with two buffalo tethered together.
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 is left out untested. https://t.co/ohCLQ1YNK0
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 15, 2020
It is not without controversy having attracted criticism from animal rights groups and was banned in 2014.
In response, the sport was made more humane and, in 2018, the state allowed Kambala races to take part again, under strict conditions including a ban on the use of whips.
The sport’s future is still unsure with animal rights group Peta petitioning the Supreme Court to argue its reinstatement was illegal.
Prof Kadamba told the BBC: ‘This Kambala is quite different from the traditional Kambala that used to be practised some decades ago.’
