The Hindu : Sport : Shiva Keshavan aims at Asian supremacy

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Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009
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Shiva Keshavan aims at Asian supremacy

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Luge exponent Shiva Keshavan has vowed to convert his bronze into gold in the next Asian championship and do his best in his fourth Winter Olympics in Vancouver 2010.

In a meeting with the media here on Monday, when the 27-year-old Shiva talked about his qualification for the next Olympics through the World Cups recently, it was clear that he would fine tune to come up with his best, despite all the hurdles and the limited support.

Better support

Thanking his main sponsor, Swiss International Airlines, which has been instrumental in flying him to the six World Cups recently, making sure that he was ”rested, well fed, etc.,” Keshavan hoped that his meeting with the Sports Minister Dr. M.S. Gill would lead to better support for him and the sport, especially in terms of getting a coach and physiotherapist.

Projected as the ”fastest Indian on ice”, as he touches 150 kilometres an hour, with the acceleration reaching from 0 to 80 kilometre an hour in less than three seconds, Keshavan said that the coaching support this season had helped him win the bronze medal in the Asian Championship.

Jean-Philipe Benoit of the Swiss Airlines said that his company was happy to be part of history in supporting Keshavan in his path-breaking exercise. ”We wish you huge success”, said Benoit.

Tough time

“I had stopped after 2006. It was a tough time with a lot of uncertainties, with a defunct Luge Association.

“Things have changed. I am glad to know that the Association has planned to have camps at Nainital and Manali for 50 boys and girls. I will be part of the camp to do whatever I can,” said Keshavan.

Talking about his plan ahead, Keshavan said that he would be resting for the next two months before getting ready with physical conditioning.

“Then we will focus on developing a sled which will require a lot of research. It is about aero-dynamics. We are talking to IIT. We are also talking to the A1GP people as ultimately it is the same thing,” observed Keshavan.

All about control

Confiding that he gets angrier with the mistakes now than being scared anymore, Keshavan said that it was all about controlling every movement at that high velocity, as the slightest movement could lead to a big difference and possibly a crash.

Keshavan said that it was an honour to get into the Limca Book of Records, as the youngest every to qualify for the Olympic Games in Luge, and to eventually get its support.

“A top 20 finish should be on the cards in the Olympics,” said Keshavan, expressing his realistic target for the next Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The secretary of the Indian Amateur Luge Association (IALA), B.S. Varma, said that Shiva Keshavan had achieved a lot on his own steam, suffering a lot along the way, and his efforts would make it easier for the next generation.

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