India’s Shiva Keshavan added another international medal to his kitty by winning a silver at the 17th Asian Luge Championships in Nagano, Japan.

India’s Shiva Keshavan added another international medal to his kitty by winning a silver at the 17th Asian Luge Championships in Nagano, Japan.

Keshavan, who has participated in five Winter Olympics, clocked 49.934 seconds to cover the 1326 metre long ice track in the men’s luge competition at the Spiral Olympic Sliding Centre in Nagano.

Hidenari Kanayama of Japan won gold in 49.791 seconds while Kim of Korea bagged the bronze with a timing of 50.178.

The 33-year-old Indian could not capitalise on his better start timing and despite a neat run, he had to be content with a silver medal for the second year in a row.

Hidenari had won gold in 2011 and 2022 Asian Luge Championships but had finished second behind today’s same opponent Hidenari of Japan last year.

“Hide (Hidenari) was practically unstoppable today. I was really happy with my race as I gave it my best shot,” said Keshavan after the medal ceremony.

Duncan Kennedy, who has been coaching Keshavan for less than a month, said, “We have made good progress on Shiva’s comfort level on the equipment and it is showing in his consistency. We still have a lot of progress to make in aerodynamics as well as overall equipment, through materials and technology, over the next few months.

“There is also room for improvement at the start, so we are in a good place right now keeping our long term goals in mind.”

Keshavan’s Asian records — the start record of 3.191 seconds and his speed record of 134.3 kmph remain intact.

India are being represented by six members in the Championships.

The Class B Asia Cup also saw Murlidhar Negi from India finishing ninth. In the Ladies’ Class, B Yuvavanti Negi, Nikita Thakur and Jahnavi Rawat finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively while Dev Thakur participated in the Men’s Class C category.

PTI