Shiva Keshavan

Shiva Keshavan (full name Shiva Keshavan K P; born August 25, 1981) is the first Indian representative to compete in luge at the Winter Olympic Games.

Background and education

Keshavan is the son of an Indian father from the state of Kerala and an Italian mother. He was born and brought up in the Himalayas (growing up in Manali, Himachal Pradesh) and attending the prestigious The Lawrence School Sanawar. He is married to Namita Agarwal, a former classmate at Sanawar, who is also his sports manager.

He studied humanities and political science from 'Cesare Alfieri' University of Florence and received a Master's degree in International relations from the University of Florence. He picked up luge when he was selected at a Training Camp in Himachal, at the age of 15.

He resides and trains in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, on the foothills of the Himalayas and the home of winter sports in the country. He was (in his words), "offered to represent Italy" in 2002, but refused because "I am an Indian and want to contribute to the country that I was born in".

India seems to be warming up to the idea that it can compete in winter sports: Keshavan was supported by the Indian Government for the Olympic Season of 2009-10 and for the first time, he could afford a Coach. He was being proudly sponsored till February 2010 by SWISS International Airlines and Limca Book of Records. Reebok and...
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