Rusty Vikas falls at first hurdle

 A rusty Vikas Gowda came up short at the first hurdle itself as the Olympic Games athletics events began on a bitter note for India on Friday.

Vikas, making his first competitive appearance this year, finished 16th in his group and 28th overall in the qualifying round, unable to find his range or rhythm.

The national record holder at 66.28 metres, Vikas has been struggling with injuries and began training seriously only four weeks ago. That was apparent as he could throw only 58.99 metres on this day, well short of the automatic qualifying mark of 65.50.

Only two athletes crossed that target, world champion Piotr Malachowski (65.89) of Poland and Lukas Weisshaidinger (65.86) of Austria. As such, the top 12 throwers across two groups made the cut, with the last qualifier progressing with 62.68. Defending champion Robert Harting of Germany was among those failing to qualify, throwing only 62.21M.

The final was within Vikas’ range but he just could not get going on the day, ending with his poorest throw in a major championship since the 2006 Asian Games, where he was sixth with 58.28M. Vikas opened with a 57.09 and then progressed to 58.99 before finishing off with a 58.20.

“I could have made it but I couldn’t find my timing and rhythm at all today,” rued Vikas, who justified his decision to compete here despite not having taken part in any meets this year.

Vikas said he may not compete again this season, to focus on rehabilitation and prepare for the next year.

Jinson Johnson in the men’s 800M and Manpreet Kaur in women’s shot put stumbled in the first round.

Johnson, who had set a personal best of 1:45.98 to qualify for Rio, was fifth in his heat in a time of 1:47.27. World record holder David Rudisha won the heat in 1:45.09. Johnson was placed 25th overall among 54 finishers.

Johnson’s lack of experience on the big stage showed as he tripped and almost fell down past the first 200 metres. Struggling to regain balance, he lost all momentum. Getting back into stride, the Indian was again caught in traffic and could not find a way out, setting for the fifth spot.

Manpreet Kaur, the national record holder at 17.96 M, ended 13th in her group with 17.06 metres. She was 23rd overall among 36 competitors.

In the men’s 20km walk, India’s Manish Singh Rawat finished a creditable 13th in 1:21:21. The other two walkers, Krishnan Ganapthi and Gurmeet Singh, were disqualified. China’s Zhen Wang won the gold in 1:19:14 followed by Cai Zeilin, also of China, in 1:19:26. Dane Birth-Smith of Australia cla­imed the bronze in 1:19:37.