The first gold medal of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 was decided at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh, Ladakh, on Wednesday. Of the four gold medals awarded, all in figure skating, Haryana secured two, while Uttarakhand and Kerala each bagged one. Haryana currently leads the medal standings with a total of five medals, including one silver and two bronze.
Figure Skating Highlights
Figure skating made its debut at the Ladakh leg of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026. Twenty figure skaters from five states and two Union Territories participated in two categories: novice free skating and advanced short programme. The first gold was claimed by Hiya Adlakha from Haryana, with Stanzin Khando and Tenzin Kunzin from Ladakh winning silver and bronze, respectively.
Fifteen-year-old Hiya comes from a sports-loving family; her mother is an international gymnastics judge. She opted for the challenging sport of figure skating, often training alone due to limited coaching resources. Hiya was selected for an Olympic Council of Asia training camp in China and won a national gold medal in 2025. Competing in the Intermediate Novice category globally, she aspires to represent India at World Cups and the Olympics.
The performances of the figure skaters were judged on composition, presentation, and skating skills by a referee and a technical controller from Taipei.
The Khelo India Winter Games is organized by the Youth Services and Sports department of Ladakh in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, with technical conduct overseen by National Sports Federations.
Novice and Advanced Competitors Shine
Adarsh Singh Rawat won the novice boys’ gold, while the advanced boys’ and girls’ categories attracted significant attention. Haryana’s Gauri Rai, dressed in turquoise blue, claimed the gold medal, though Kerala’s Abhijith Amal Raj showcased superior quality in all three judging aspects. There were nine competitors in the advanced boys’ section.
Gauri, a class XII student at Manav Rachna International School in Gurugram, demonstrated her expertise at the NDS Stadium. She has won ten national medals and has represented India.
“This gold medal is not just a win for me; it is a reward for years of discipline, early mornings, falls on ice, and never giving up. Every competition teaches me something new, and this victory motivates me to work even harder for my country,” she shared with SAI Media.
“When I am on ice, I feel fearless and free. I dream of representing India on the biggest global platforms and inspiring young girls to believe that with dedication, even the coldest ice can turn dreams into reality.”
To young skaters, Gauri advised: “Believe in yourself, respect your coaches and parents, and stay focused. Success comes to those who are patient, consistent, and honest with their hard work.”
Thrilling Ice Hockey Match
Ice hockey, a favorite sport in Ladakh, attracted large and enthusiastic crowds. The men’s group B match between Ladakh and ITBP was a thrilling encounter. Hosts Ladakh triumphed 3-1 in a contest marked by aggressive play. Stanzin Angchol opened the scoring in the first minute, putting Ladakh in the lead.
In the 10th minute of the second period, ITBP equalized with Nawang Zangpo’s goal, injecting fresh energy into the team even though they were a man down.
The third period was fiercely contested, with both teams attacking the goals. However, Ladakh scored two goals from Tsering Angchuk to secure a decisive victory.