Leh (Ladakh), Jan 25 (NationPress) The luck did not favor Ladakh as the ITBP women's team triumphed in reclaiming the Khelo India Winter Games ice-hockey gold at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium on Sunday evening.

In an exciting match, ITBP netted a goal in the opening seconds of extra time after the regulation concluded in a 1-1 draw.

There was a slight consolation for the hosts on the second last day of the 6th Khelo India Winter Games. The men from Ladakh redeemed their honor by clinching the men's ice-hockey bronze after a surprising defeat to Chandigarh, who beat the home team 3-2 in the semifinals. However, on Sunday, the Ladakh men appeared more determined, achieving a hard-fought 3-2 victory for a spot on the podium. Previously, they had defeated ITBP 3-1 in the league phase.

In a nail-biting low-scoring encounter, Ladakh seemed poised to defend their ice-hockey title. In a match reminiscent of last year’s Khelo India Winter Games final, Ladakh took the lead with a goal from Shamina Khatoon in the 17th minute, but ITBP’s star player, Stanzin Dolkar, known as Tani, produced a stunning equalizer in the third period, pushing the game into extra time. Just nine seconds in, Dolkar struck again, scoring the golden goal amidst a goalmouth scramble, leaving Ladakh in shock.

With this victory, ITBP ensures they leave the Games with medals. As KIWG 2026 nears its conclusion, Haryana maintains the top position with four golds, while Ladakh holds the second spot with two golds. Telangana also has two golds but fewer silvers than the hosts.

On Sunday morning, Telangana's Nayana Sri Talluri secured her second consecutive gold medal at the short-course skating rink at NDS. The Calgary-born teen began the 1000m short track race at a steady pace before accelerating midway. Her main competitor, Ladakh’s skating star Skarma Tsultim, faced a setback as she crashed out. Nayana skillfully held off a strong challenge from Maharashtra’s Anvayee Deshpande to clinch the gold with a timing of 1:43.32 seconds. Anvayee earned silver at 1:43.43, while teammate Schaleen Fernandes took bronze with a time of 1:46.41.

Thus, Nayana became the third ice skater in KIWG 2026 to secure two gold medals, both in individual categories. With one day remaining, Haryana’s Sachin Singh and Ladakh’s Skarma Tsultim also boast two golds each (individual and relay). Late on Saturday, Ladakh was awarded the women’s 1000m long track gold in an event affected by a snowstorm at Gupukh’s Pond, where Skarma led a Ladakh sweep.

Maharashtra celebrated its first gold medal on Sunday when Ishaan Darvekar (1:35.57 seconds) won the men’s 1000m short track at NDS Stadium. This marked Ishaan's second medal in KIWG 2026, having previously secured silver in the men’s 500m short track event. Telangana captured both silver and bronze in this race.

In better conditions at Gupukh’s Pond Sunday afternoon, Karnataka’s 18-year-old Srivatsa S Rao astonished the competition, winning gold in the men’s 1000m long track ice skating event. This was Karnataka's first gold of KIWG 2026. Srivatsa, who previously won gold in the junior category at the 2024 Khelo India Winter Games, finished ahead of Tamil Nadu’s Avikshith Vijay (1:37.73) and Selva Kumar M (1:39.41), clocking in at 1:36.64.

“I am extremely delighted to win this gold medal. Competing against some of my idols and finishing ahead of them is a truly joyous moment for me. My dream is to one day win an Olympic medal for my country. That’s my ultimate goal,” Srivatsa shared with SAI Media.