<p> A buffalo jockey in India has refused to take part in a track and field trial after his record-setting performance in a traditional footrace drew comparisons with Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt.</p>.<p>Srinivas Gowda and his buffaloes ran 142.5 metres in 13.62 seconds, setting a record in the annual race known as Kambala in the southern state of Karnataka.</p>.<p>With a time that equates to running 100m in 9.55 seconds, compared to the retired Bolt's world record of 9.58sec, social media buzz erupted over the chiselled construction worker.</p>.<p>But with the Tokyo Olympics looming in July, Gowda politely declined an invitation from India's sports minister to try out at the Sports Authority of India in Bangalore.</p>.<p>"I will not be attending trials at Sports Authority of India. I want to achieve more in Kambala," Gowda, 28, told Indian media.</p>.<p>"Kambala and track events are different and those who have done well in one cannot replicate in the other.</p>.<p>"Many who have achieved in track events have tried Kambala and have not been successful. In Kambala we run on heels whereas in track it is on toes."</p>.<p>Kambala is an annual race where racers splash 142m through paddy fields holding a rope attached to two buffaloes, who run ahead of them.</p>.<p>Many users have noted that the runners are pulled along by the buffaloes, who are lashed together.</p>.<p>"Never in my dream did I think that I would be so famous. The credit should go to my buffaloes," said Gowda.</p>.<p>"I could achieve this only because they cooperated with me."</p>
<p> A buffalo jockey in India has refused to take part in a track and field trial after his record-setting performance in a traditional footrace drew comparisons with Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt.</p>.<p>Srinivas Gowda and his buffaloes ran 142.5 metres in 13.62 seconds, setting a record in the annual race known as Kambala in the southern state of Karnataka.</p>.<p>With a time that equates to running 100m in 9.55 seconds, compared to the retired Bolt's world record of 9.58sec, social media buzz erupted over the chiselled construction worker.</p>.<p>But with the Tokyo Olympics looming in July, Gowda politely declined an invitation from India's sports minister to try out at the Sports Authority of India in Bangalore.</p>.<p>"I will not be attending trials at Sports Authority of India. I want to achieve more in Kambala," Gowda, 28, told Indian media.</p>.<p>"Kambala and track events are different and those who have done well in one cannot replicate in the other.</p>.<p>"Many who have achieved in track events have tried Kambala and have not been successful. In Kambala we run on heels whereas in track it is on toes."</p>.<p>Kambala is an annual race where racers splash 142m through paddy fields holding a rope attached to two buffaloes, who run ahead of them.</p>.<p>Many users have noted that the runners are pulled along by the buffaloes, who are lashed together.</p>.<p>"Never in my dream did I think that I would be so famous. The credit should go to my buffaloes," said Gowda.</p>.<p>"I could achieve this only because they cooperated with me."</p>