Gowda wins discuss throw, gives India first athletics gold

Vikas Gowda gave India its first athletics gold medal of the 20th Commonwealth Games by winning the men's discuss throw on Thursday night.

The 31-year-old US-based Indian won with an effort of 63.64 metres, way below his personal best of 66.28m, under incessant rain at the Hampden Park.

The silver went to Apostolos Parellis of Cyprus, who hurled the discuss to 63.32m, while the bronze was bagged by Jason Morgan of Jamaica with an effort of 62.34m.

2010 Delhi Games gold medaliist Benn Harradine of Australia finished fourth with a below-par throw of 61.91m.

The incessant rain did not help the athletes' cause in any way and the throwers found difficulty in gripping the discuss, having to continuously dry it with a towel.

Gowda, who won a silver in the 2010 Delhi Games, registered his best effort in his third attempt, which proved enough for the gold.

But the 63.64 metres was way below his personal best as well as season's best of 65.62m.

Incidentally, Gowda's gold was the third for India on the eighth day of competition after Babaita Kumari and London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt clinched the yellow metals in wrestling.

Meanwhile, India's Tintu Luka failed to qualify for the final of the women's 800m after finishing seventh in the eight-contestant first semi-final.

She clocked 2:03.35s in her semi-final round.

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Image: Vikas Gowda

Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images