Mangalore : Former international athlete Anand Shetty who had sustained grievous injuries in a road accident near Kotekar on May 18, passed away at a private hospital in Mangalore on May 21, Tuesday. He was 52.

Shetty’s wife and daughter too were injured in the accident.

Shetty who was initially recognized as a Kabaddi player later turned attention towards Athletics and was the national sprint champion. He was a good runner in 100 and 200 meters race and represented India in the Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982.

He won a ‘sprint double’ at the senior level in the Open Nationals at Delhi in 1982 and  also won in  the Jamshedpur event next year.

Shetty’s body was placed at Mangala Stadium on May 21, Tuesday evening to enable people to pay last respects. Forest Minister Ramanatha Rai, Health Minister UT Khader, former MLA Yogish Bhat and several leaders paid their final respects to the departed athlete.