Nearing peak form, Shiva Keshavan guns for medal at Winter Olympics

To enter 30s might signal decline in many sports but for veteran luge racer Shiva Keshavan, it is the start of his peak form which, he feels, would make him the first Indian to win a Winter Olympics medal come 2014.

The 31-year-old, who is called the 'fastest Indian on ice', believes that 30s is the prime age for a luge athlete.

"For a luge athlete prime age is late 30s. With experience comes technique. So, 2014 and 2018 is when I should be at the peak of my abilities," Keshavan told PTI in an

interview.

After a second successive Asian title, Keshavan is expecting financial assistance from the government to realise his dream.

"From now on every race I participate in, I would look to better my international rankings so that I qualify for the next Olympics. There will be nine world cup races next and would like to participate in most of them," Keshavan said.

All his practice sessions would be organised keeping in mind the Winter Olympics to be held at Suchi, Russia. He hopes to keep his world rankings consistent, in order to get a call for what would be his fifth Olympics since 1998.

"Next winter games would be my fifth Olympics. I am really determined to win the country the first ever gold in a winter sport and practicing hard for it," Keshavan, who still holds the world record for being the youngest luge athlete to compete in Olympics, said.

He recently did the country proud by successfully defending the Asian title at Nagano in Japan.

"I am really happy to retain my title. The level of competition was much tougher this time around. After last year's defeat, the Japanese were trying to get get the medals back. They had really good preparation. So it makes it all the more special," a proud Keshavan said.

... contd.

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