Sochi: India's leading luger Shiva Keshavan, who is participating in the Winter Olympics as an independent athlete this time, clocked 53.905 in the first heat of the men's singles luge event on Saturday.


Shiva Keshavan during the first heat of Luge Singles on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

The 32-year-old, who represented India in four Olympic Games, before the fiasco in the Indian Olympic Association prevented him from competing under the Indian flag, had a maximum speed of 130.1 km/hr during the first heat and ranked 35th after starting at 38th place.