Daegu (South Korea), Aug 29 (IANS) Discus thrower Vikas Gowda kept alive India's medal hopes as he qualified Monday for the final round of the event at the World Athletics Championships here.

Gowda became the fourth Indian to progress beyond qualification rounds in the World Championships. Long jumper Anju Bobby George (2003 and 2005), discus thrower Neelam Jaswant Singh (2003) and long jumper Mayookha Johny (2011) are the other three Indian athletes.

US-based Gowda finished fourth in Group A of the qualification round with throws of 62.37 metres, 63.99 metres and 61.85 metres. His second throw of 63.99 metres earned him the ticket to the final round.

His efforts were far behind the qualification standard of 65.50 metres. But since none of the athletes in both the groups achieved it, the top 12 performers qualified for the final round. Gowda's effort was ranked eighth among the 12.

Gowda's performance was also way behind his personal best of 64.96 metres and 64.91 metres, which is his best this year.

Gowda had to miss the Arjuna Awards ceremony in India due to the World Championships.