Shiva Keshavan, India’s only Olympic competitor in luge in the 2018 Winter Games, practiced on the mountainous roads of northern India as the country does not yet have a professional luge track.
Keshavan almost certainly will not medal in the men’s luge at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. He finished in 36th place in Saturday’s first run at the Alpensia Sliding Center, his time of 50.578 seconds nearly three full seconds behind the leader, Austria’s David Gleirscher. That time can be considered an eternity in the sport of luge.
The sport of luge originates in the mountains of Switzerland. In the sport, athletes slide down an icy track, feet first, on their backs, on a small sled without any brakes, achieving speeds of up to 140 km per hour. Quite a gusty sport for anyone especially those without the necessary resources to practice.
What a fantastic second heat. Timing of 48.710. The entire Indian camp is delighted. The picture itself speaks a thousand words. #Passion – Team Shiva. #Olympics #Shiv6 #Luge pic.twitter.com/7RQdSNb54V
— Shiva Keshavan (@100thofasec) February 10, 2018
In the Himalayas, Keshavan achieved similar speeds on a modified sledge with wheels. From Manali, Keshavan became the first Indian luger in the history of the sport when he competed in his first Olympics at the age of 16 in 1998. Now, Keshavan is finishing out his sixth games.
Four years ago he finished 37th of 39 competitors. PyeongChang will be his sixth and final Olympics.
“For many years, I would borrow or rent a sled for the race or training. I would train on my own, because I didn’t have a coach. I would save up on car rentals and flights, asking for lifts from one place to another. Other teams would fly and send their equipment on a bus. I would hitch a ride on the bus to reach the venue,” Keshavan said. “I’ve had to sleep in parked cars, to not go to a hotel. When you’re in that position, you do what you can.”
Here are some reactions on social media to Keshavan and his Olympic journey.
Cheer for Shiva keshavan @100thofasec
Need all your prayers
Time to show some love #PyeongChang2018 #ShivaKeshavan #WInterOlympicsOnJIoTV #WinterOlympics2018 #WinterOlympics #India pic.twitter.com/LkaEEPXt0X— Iqbal Khan (@Miqbalkhan) February 11, 2018
Beg everyone on my TL to follow Indian Winter Olympic Legend Shiva Keshavan @100thofasec and cheer him as he participates in his 6th Olympics. He is the Asian record holder in luge and needs all our support.
— Bhookkad Guy (@rogueacademic88) February 8, 2018
Keshavan and his younger sibling Devan Daniel are not strangers to racing down slopes as they grew up in the Himalayas, where their family ran an adventure sports company. ESPN reported that Keshavan picked up the sled after watching the film, Cool Runnings, about the Jamaican bobsled team making it to the Winter Olympics. This prompted the International Luge Federation to scout for talent in unlikely destinations around the world, including India.
What do you think of Keshavan‘s journey in the sport of luge at the Winter Olympics? Have you been following him in the sport? Let us know in the comments section.
Photo Credit: Source