Retiring Shiva Keshavan aims for last hurrah at Pyeongchang Winter Olympics

File photo of Shiva Keshavan (Facebook Image)

Competing in his sixth and last Winter Olympics, pioneer luger Shiva Keshavan wants to overcome a recent injury and end his international career with a flourish during the Pyeongchang Games, starting this week.

The 36-year-old, who has represented India in every Winter Olympics since 1998, has decided to call it quits after taking part in the February 9-25 event.

“Age-wise, I think, I can continue. Two medal winners at 2014 Sochi edition were also above 40. I have represented India for 22 years, but now I think I need to move on and focus elsewhere,” Keshavan told PTI in an exclusive interview.

He added, “So this Winter Olympics will be my last one, this will be my last international event.”

Born to Indian father and Italian mother, Keshavan was brought up in Manali. He is the reigning Asian champion in luge and the speed record holder. He won the Asian Luge Championships in 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2017.

Keshavan has been India’s flag-bearer in four Winter Games and he said he will miss the honour of “carrying the whole country on his shoulders”.

“When IOA was suspended (during 2014 Sochi), I took part in the opening ceremony as an independent athlete (under IOC flag). Except for that one, I had held the flag in all other Olympics at either opening or closing ceremony.

“Every four years, I had the honour of carrying the country on my shoulders. That is an amazing feeling. I will be happy if more Indians start taking part in Winter Olympics.”

Unlike in Summer Olympics, very few Indians have taken part in Winter Olympics. Only tennis legend Leander Paes (7 summer Olympics) has taken part in more editions than him.

Keshavan’s best performance in his five appearances has been a 25th-place finish in 2006. This time, he has a personal coach for the first time in his career and received financial support from the government as well as some private companies.

Unfortunately, he had suffered a hand injury a couple of weeks back while competing.

“I had a crash while competing in Germany and I had a few hairline fractures. I am feeling good now but still not 100 percent. My event is on Feb 10 and 11, and hopefully, I will be 100 percent fit by that time.

“I haven’t stopped training but doing it without starting drill, only sliding down the track by using body and feet and not using hand. Hand is important for the initial momentum.”

Otherwise, the build-up has been satisfactory with his own coach Duncan Kennedy, the former American Winter Olympian.

“There has been a lot of difference over the years. When I started in 1998, I was just 16. I did not have any equipment, any coach. Even in 2014 I did everything myself.

“But in the last three years, I have been training under an American, the first time I’m having a personal coach.

“I have more confidence from the equipment point of view. I am approaching with a plan. I will try my best and will see how the track and weather conditions are on that day.”

Keshavan has been ploughing a lone furrow for more than two decades but he does not have grudges with the system.

“Any support that comes in is welcome. For so long, I have been doing on my own and on the goodwill of people. This time I am happy that with the intervention of sports minister I got this money (Rs 20 lakh).

“Obviously, it would have been better had this help come one year, two years or three years before.”

Asked what motivated him to keep going in a less known sport, he said, “I am a small-town kid. I grew up making my own ski and sledge with my friends in Manali area. We all have a collective dream that one day our area will be known for winter sports.”

He added, “It is now time to transfer what I know to the next generation and hopefully help out the administration. I think I can coach the youngsters a bring a revolution (in winter sports).”