Several Indian athletes may be having sleepless nights as they try their utmost to secure Olympic berths, but Shiva Keshavan has no such worries.
The luge athlete has already qualified for the next Winter Olympics, to be held from February 7-14, 2014, in Sochi, Russia, by virtue of being the reigning Asian champion in his discipline.
Keshavan won the luge gold at the 2011 Asia Cup in Nagano, Japan, and is aiming for a first Olympic medal for the country in winter sport.
'The season starts in September but I will go to Europe in July-August for some pre-season training and equipment testing,' Keshavan told Mail Today in the Capital.
'I will be at Albertville, France, to prepare for the 10 World Cups to be held between September and February.'
With a spot at the Sochi Games guaranteed, Keshavan now aims to improve his world ranking to give himself the best possible shot at the Olympics.
'Those at pole get the benefit of a fresh track which helps timings.'
Winter sports don't have much of a tradition in India and are an expensive proposition. Keshavan is the poster boy in this regard and has already represented the country at four Olympics.
Now with Olympic Gold Quest taking him under their wing, Keshavan is hopeful that he will get the necessary support to be a force to reckon with in Sochi.
'I look forward to some financial support for training and medical back-up. The equipment required for luge is all made in Europe and is pretty expensive.
I already have a physical trainer who also works with the Swiss biathlon coach,' he said.
With an eye on the Winter Olympics, Keshavan is looking to increase his weight by 10kg by the time the season starts.
'My normal weight is 80kg but I want to take it to 90kg. More body mass results in more explosive power and momentum at the start of the routine,' he said
Keshavan won the luge gold at the 2011 Asia Cup in Nagano, Japan, and is aiming for a first Olympic medal for the country in winter sport.
'The season starts in September but I will go to Europe in July-August for some pre-season training and equipment testing,' Keshavan told Mail Today in the Capital.
'I will be at Albertville, France, to prepare for the 10 World Cups to be held between September and February.'
With a spot at the Sochi Games guaranteed, Keshavan now aims to improve his world ranking to give himself the best possible shot at the Olympics.
'Those at pole get the benefit of a fresh track which helps timings.'
Winter sports don't have much of a tradition in India and are an expensive proposition. Keshavan is the poster boy in this regard and has already represented the country at four Olympics.
Now with Olympic Gold Quest taking him under their wing, Keshavan is hopeful that he will get the necessary support to be a force to reckon with in Sochi.
'I look forward to some financial support for training and medical back-up. The equipment required for luge is all made in Europe and is pretty expensive.
I already have a physical trainer who also works with the Swiss biathlon coach,' he said.
With an eye on the Winter Olympics, Keshavan is looking to increase his weight by 10kg by the time the season starts.
'My normal weight is 80kg but I want to take it to 90kg. More body mass results in more explosive power and momentum at the start of the routine,' he said
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